A teacher at Nyachikayi Primary School and a health worker at Nyachikayi Health Centre in Zambezi District, Zambia have drowned on Lutembwe River as they were searching for mobile internet connectivity.
Teddy Sakandula, 32, a class teacher, and Freddy Sapilinya, 31, a health worker, were on a dugout canoe searching for internet network to submit their monthly reports.
Mr Sipilinya was working under the Churches Health Association of Zambia at Nyachikayi Health Centre.
North-Western Province commanding officer Brighton Siwale said the duo drowned on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 around 12:00 hours in Nyachikayi area, on the west bank of Lutembwe River.
The water body is about 196 kilometres from Zambezi town.
Mr Siwale said preliminary investigations indicate that the two were crossing Lutembwe River on a canoe to access internet connectivity from the other side of the river.
“Unfortunately, while in the middle of the river, the canoe capsized due to strong water current. Both occupants failed to swim and subsequently drowned,” he said.
Their bodies were retrieved and now await transportation to Zambezi District Hospital mortuary.
Police have opened an inquiry into the drowning incident.
Teddy got married in October 2025.
