A 24-YEAR-OLD man of Lusaka has been sentenced to five years imprisonment with hard labour for causing the death of his two-year-old daughter. This is in a case Mike Mutema was accused of killing Susan on April 13 last year. Facts before court were that on the material day, Mutema returned home around 20:00 hours and started having dinner. But after a meal, Mutema negligently left the door of the house open and went to sleep. His daughter later disappeared from the house.

The following day, the toddler was found dead in a well, about 100 metres from her father’s house. Members of the public retrieved the child’s body from the well and took it to the University Teaching Hospital. On April 16 last year, an autopsy was conducted on the body and the results established that the child had drowned.

The matter was later reported to Chawama Police Station where investigations led to the arrest of Mutema, who had fled to Itezhi tezhi. Mutema was later arrested and charged with murder but it was reduced to manslaughter. When Mutema appeared before High Court Judge Wilfred Muma, he pleaded guilty to the charge. Through his lawyer Lisebeth Musonda from the Legal Aid Board, Mutema pleaded with the court to be lenient with him because he was a first offender who readily admitted the charge. Ms Musonda said his client regretted causing the death of his daughter, whom he loved dearly and that he had reflected on his actions during the time he was in detention.

“The convict has suffered psychological trauma for causing the death of his own child. This is punishment on its own,” she submitted. But delivering the sentence, Judge Muma said the offence Mutema committed was serious and as, such ,he ought to be punished to deter would-be offenders. “I will, therefore, sentence you to five years imprisonment with hard labour which will take effect from the day you were arrested on March 7, 2019,” Judge Muma said. Meanwhile, three Lusaka residents who were sued for allegedly defaming a businesswoman by saying she was running a prostitution ring and engaging in human trafficking, have distanced themselves from the accusations. Angela Mabenga, Edward Mabenga and Kode Mufwamba have stated in their defence that they will put Gwen Mambwe, the plaintiff, to strict proof during trial. This is in a case Ms Mambwe has sued the trio in the Lusaka High Court see