The police in the Zambezi Region are investigating a murder case after 6-year-old Vasco Mutelembi was found dead on 15 December.

The incident came to light when police at Katima Mulilo station received a report of a sudden death in a house at the Cowboy location. Upon arrival at the scene, officers inspected the body and observed multiple bruises across it.

A relative of the deceased told police that on 13 December, around 16:00, the boy had returned from playing in the neighbour's yard with bruises that did not appear serious. On 14 December, around 18:00, he began vomiting and complaining of stomach pain, but was not taken to the hospital. He was left in the house with a 16-year-old boy while the elders went to the village.

Relatives said the vomiting continued throughout the night until Monday morning (15 December), when the boy died while sleeping.

An autopsy conducted on Tuesday, 16 December, revealed that the cause of death was blunt chest and abdominal trauma.

Statements were taken from neighbours, and the 16-year-old boy left with the deceased, but none could explain what happened. Police investigations continue.