Man charged with murder

By SAMUEL BARIASI
A 20-YEAR-OLD man from Angabanga village in Bereina, Central, was arrested and charged with the murder of a 17-year-old youth for allegedly having an affair with his wife, police say.
Central police commander Snr Insp Tapp Opai said the accused, Albert Mage, allegedly slashed John Lapu to death when he was going for a swim with his brother on July 6.
“Mage admitted to committing the offence when he was formally questioned by police,” Snr Insp Opai said.
He said Mage told police that he knew his wife was having an affair with Lapu because he caught them together on several occasions.
“Lapu was on his way to the river with his brother when Mage came out from the nearby bushes with a long bush knife,” he said.
“Lapu’s brother saw Mage approaching and informed Lapu but both did not know that Mage was going to attack them. As they were approaching the river, Mage quickly walked towards Lapu and swung the knife at him from the back.”
Snr Insp Opai said Lapu was caught by surprise and turned around, lifted his right hand to block the knife.
“Lapu’s right hand was chopped off at the elbow as a result. Lapu’s brother reacted and tried to stop Mage but was chased away.”
Snr Insp Opai said Mage then continued slashing Lapu with his knife and left him to die and fled into the bush.
“Lapu was later rescued by villagers who rushed him to a nearby clinic but was pronounced dead on arrival.”
Mage was later arrested by Bereina police and charged with one count of wilful murder and detained at the Boroko police station.