A THIRTY-FIVE-YEAR-OLD man of Serenje has allegedly murdered his father on allegations that his father never liked him.

After killing his father, a Mr James Chibuye, 60, the suspect is alleged to have hidden the body in a bush.

Central Province deputy commissioner of police, Nelson Phiri identified the suspect as Conely Chibuye of James Chiti Village in Chief Kapamba's area.

Mr Phiri said the incident happened on October 7, 2012 and the body was found the following day after the suspect was questioned and later led the police to the place where he had hidden his father's body.

When Mr Chibuye disappeared from his home, family members became suspicious considering that his relationship with the suspect had not been good.

The matter was reported to the police who instituted investigations.

Mr Chibuye's body was almost decomposed when it was found, forcing police to conduct a post-mortem on the spot before burial.

"I can confirm that we have picked up a man who killed his father on allegations that he was not liked by his father," Mr Phiri said.

He said a hoe handle was used to hit the victim on the back of the head and that the suspect was charged with murder and would appear in court soon.

In another development, police have arrested and charged a Chibombo man, who was on the run for allegedly killing two children, with two counts of murder and arson.

Last weekend, Nelson Mukosha is alleged to have thrown his brother's two-year-old baby on a floor and died later before setting ablaze a house where his step-son was sleeping.

Meanwhile, suspected armed criminals in the early hours of yesterday attacked a farmer in Chisamba District and killed five of his cattle before setting a motor vehicle ablaze.

The suspects had earlier disguised themselves as police officers and asked the farm owner identified as Leonard Makumba to open the door, but when he refused they opened fire, killing the five animals on the spot.