A 37-year-old man, Petrus Ndakola, from Opepela Village in the Okongo Constituency, who faces a charge of murder after allegedly killing his 52-year-old girlfriend before burning her remains, has been denied bail this morning at Okongo Magistrate's Court.

Police preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect, employed as a domestic worker, in efforts to conceal the crime, informed investigators that he ended their relationship and his girlfriend did not want to move on, and that on the said day, she came to his residence and committed suicide by setting herself alight while he was at Cucashops.

However, police investigations revealed that the incident, which occurred on Tuesday before midnight, was murder and not suicide.

Public Prosecutor Pallhus Shuudeni opposed the granting of bail due to the seriousness of the crime, the public interest, and to allow for further investigations.

Ndakola is remanded in custody, and his case was postponed to September 22.

Police investigations into the matter continue.

Ndapanda Shuuya