Tragedy Strikes Choma as Friendship Ends in Double Death

A shocking and heartbreaking incident in Choma’s Macha area has left an entire community reeling, after a night of drinking between two friends ended in a double tragedy.

On the morning of August 4th, 2025, what began as a casual night out spiraled into a horrifying scene when 26-year-old Dayo Nchimunya Hachililo allegedly struck his friend Costar Muntanga Mukamba fatally on the head following a dispute. Hachililo later took his own life by hanging.

A Night Out Turns Deadly

According to Macha Ward Councillor Choolwe Mubambasu, the two young men were walking home after spending the night drinking. Somewhere along the way, a disagreement broke out. The argument reportedly escalated into a violent confrontation, ending with Hachililo allegedly using an unknown object to strike Mukamba on the head, killing him instantly.

Unable to face the consequences of his actions—or perhaps overwhelmed by remorse—Hachililo returned home and ended his life by hanging from a roof pole in his house.

“This is a tragedy that has left the entire community shaken,” Mubambasu told Byta FM News. “These were young men with promising lives ahead of them.”

Community in Shock and Mourning

Residents of Macha are struggling to come to terms with the tragedy. Both families are said to be devastated, and the broader community has expressed grief over the loss of two young lives that ended in such senseless and violent circumstances.

The bodies of both men have been deposited at Macha Mission Hospital mortuary, pending post-mortem examinations and eventual burial arrangements.

Calls for Mental Health and Alcohol Abuse Awareness

This incident has renewed calls for greater attention to mental health support, especially among young people in rural areas. It also highlights the urgent need to address alcohol abuse, which continues to contribute to escalating violence and loss of life in communities across Zambia.

Community leaders and local organisations are being urged to step up counselling services, conflict resolution programmes, and peer-support initiatives aimed at helping young people cope with stress, anger, and personal disputes in healthier, non-violent ways.

No Official Police Statement Yet

Efforts to get an official comment from the Southern Province Police Division were unsuccessful by press time. However, community members are hopeful that authorities will fully investigate the circumstances leading up to the deaths.

As Macha mourns the loss of two sons, the tragedy serves as a painful reminder of how fragile life can be—and how quickly friendship can turn to fatal conflict in the absence of emotional control and healthy coping mechanisms.