A 22-year-old man has died after drowning in Mpheta Irrigation Canal at Mpheta Village in the area of Traditional Authority Mposa in Machinga District.
Confirming the incident on Monday, Machinga Police Public Relations Officer Sergeant Western Kansire said the body of Fredson Kabudula was found floating in the canal on 8 March 2026 after he had been reported missing for two days.
Kansire said the deceased’s uncle, Elason Assikimu, reported that Kabudula, who suffered from epilepsy, left home on 6 March, 2026 for an unknown destination and did not return.
“He did not return until 8 March, 2026 when his body was discovered floating in the canal. Police officers and medical personnel from Chamba Health Centre visited the scene and confirmed the death,” said Kansire.
He added that a post-mortem examination revealed that the cause of death was suffocation secondary to drowning after the deceased allegedly suffered an epileptic seizure and fell into the canal.
Machinga Police have since advised members of the public to take extra care of vulnerable relatives and ensure they are protected from dangerous areas such as water bodies to prevent similar incidents.
