A FEMALE teacher at Makwati Primary School in Kabwe has allegedly taken her own life following intense pressure from two creditors demanding repayment of a debt.
Mwila Chanda, 31, allegedly died by consuming a pesticide, according to Central Province police commanding officer Charity Munganga.
Kabwe Central Police received a report of suicide on November 16, 2024 around 16:00 hours. 
The report was filed by a Mr Mulambya, 33, of Kambwili Street, who stated that his wife, Mwila Chanda, had taken her own life after consuming a pesticide near the Christian Centre in Kabwe district at around 14:39 hours.
“That day around 09:00 hours, Ms Chanda, who was a teacher at Makwati Primary School, was at home when two men she owed money arrived from Ndola demanding for their money,” Ms Munganga said.
She said the two men took Ms Chanda to Lukanga Police Post around 12:00 hours but police advised the creditors to pursue a civil route.
After the men left her, Ms Chanda is said to have bought a pesticide.
At approximately 13:40 hours, she phoned Lizzy Ng’ambi, her friend and a fellow teacher at Makwati, expressing her exhaustion with life and her intention to take her own life.
“A few minutes later, the same friend received a phone call from an unknown person using the victim’s phone and asked whether she knew the owner of the number he was using or not. He further indicated that the owner had consumed a pesticide and was being rushed to Mahtani Mahanadi Clinic,” she said.
Ms Munganga said upon arrival at the clinic, Ms Chanda was referred to Kabwe Central Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival around 14:39 hours.
She said the body of the victim has since been buried and her family members suspect no foul play.
Commenting on the incident, Kabwe District Education Board secretary (DEBs) Inonge Mulemwa has prodded teachers against contemplating committing suicide but instead seek help to get out of their predicament.
“Her death is unfortunate. It’s a sad story. It’s a very sad situation,” she told Zambia Daily Mail on Friday.
Ms Mulemwa added that teachers are not the only ones experiencing financial challenges and ending up borrowing money or getting loans.
She said it is not only Ministry of Education workers who are in debt because debt is a cross- cutting issue in society.
Source: Zambia Daily Mail
