By Rahim Abdul
Police in Mangochi have arrested 19-year-old, Ishmael John, who had been on the run for several days on allegations of murdering a 25-year-old sex worker, Ethel Mphepo, over jealousy.
According to Mangochi Police Spokesperson Inspector Amina Tepani Daudi,the incident occurred on the morning of April 27, 2026, within Mangochi Township.
Daudi said the suspect was a regular customer of the deceased and the two were often seen together at her friend’s business spot within the Township. The two frequently patronised a nearby bush for their sexual activities.
Some days prior to the incident, another man had expressed interest in marrying Mphepo. The man was often seen at the business area chatting with her in the presence of the suspect, a situation that reportedly angered him.
On the day of the incident, the suspect allegedly lured Mphepo from the business area to their usual spot under the pretext of having sex. Once there, he is said to have strangled her to death before fleeing to his home village.
The matter was reported to Mangochi Police Station, and detectives promptly visited the scene. The body was taken to Mangochi District Hospital, where a postmortem examination confirmed that the cause of death was strangulation.
Following investigations, the suspect was apprehended over the weekend at his home village, Mitanga, under Traditional Authority Mponda in Mangochi District.
The suspect has since admitted to committing the offence and is expected to appear before court to answer a charge of murder upon completion of necessary paperwork.
