According to the Police, the boy, Festus Kambonde, had been on his way to school when his father called him to accompany him to a nearby shop.

The boy did as he was told, but while in the bush, his father allegedly put the barrel of the gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger.

The suspect is then said to have gone home as though nothing had happened.

Even when other schoolchildren attested to him taking the boy with him that morning, he denied it when his wife asked about the boy's whereabouts.

The boy's mother then contacted the Police, but before they could reach him, the suspect had fled.

The Police arrested him yesterday morning.

Rumours are circulating that the suspect is suffering from a mental illness.

Police spokesperson Warrant Officer James Matengu yesterday said such claims could only be denied or confirmed after further investigations.

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