Harare — Some Malawian police officers and Immigration Department officials are being investigated over their alleged involvement in the murder of a Zimbabwean woman whose body was found buried in a bathroom.

According to media reports in Malawi, Lisa Gasa (25) went missing on August 4 after she reportedly travelled to Monkey Bay to discuss an alleged pregnancy with Misozi Chanthunya, the principal suspect in the murder case.

Monkey Bay belongs to the Chanthunyas and Gasa's body was found following a tip-off.

Chanthunya was on the run, but his alleged accomplice, Isaac Phakameya, was last Tuesday denied bail by the Zomba High Court after prosecutors argued that his release would compromise investigations.

Zimbabwean immigration officials were last week in Malawi discussing some immigration and security issues between the two countries.

Sources said the officials were informed about the new developments on Gasa's case.

The department's public relations officer, Mr Peter Kakatera, was quoted as saying: "It is true that we are collaborating with police to investigate how her (Lisa Gasa) name was found on that date's schedule as one of the people who had crossed the border."

According to a Malawian paper The Nation, at Soche Police, Sub-Inspector Harry Chikwemba is facing disciplinary action for releasing Chanthunya after summoning him three times without informing the officer-in-charge.

A post-mortem report revealed that Gasa was either strangled or poisoned although her body had stab wounds.

Experts concluded that the wounds were inflicted after she had been already been killed.

Her body was repatriated to Zimbabwe last month for burial at Granville Cemetery.

Gasa was studying in Malawi.

By Staff reporter and agencies