The carcass of an iconic Pond fish in Zambia has disappeared from the freezer where it was being kept, Copperbelt University (CBU) vice-chancellor, Naison Ngoma, disclosed on Thursday.
The popular giant pond fish, fondly known as Mafishi, died on Monday, throwing Zambians into mourning.
The fish lived in the CBU pond for more than a decade and students regarded it as a good luck charm.
Ngoma said that investigations have begun to establish its whereabouts.
“I am told that while in that deep freezer, the fish began to smell but when I asked about the whereabouts of the fish, I was told that it has disappeared,” he is quoted as saying.
Prof Ngoma says it is possible the fish was eaten or thrown away.
He added that disciplinary action would be taken against those responsible for Mafishi’s disappearance.
Mafishi lived in the CBU pond for more than a decade and students regarded it as a good luck charm.
Following his death, students at the CBU organised a candlelight procession to mourn its passing. President Edgar Lungu and opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema took to social media to condole with the university.
President Lungu quoting Mahatma Gandhi while mourning the fish, said: “… the greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” ― Mahatma Gandhi. Mafishi was part of the #CBU community for a long time.”
“I’m glad you received a befitting send-off. We’ll all miss you,” he added.
Mr Hichilema wrote: “We stand with the CBU student community, past and present, over the death of their iconic pet Mafishi.”