TWO men of Lusaka have been condemned to death for murdering a man whom they robbed of clothes, a mobile phone and a pair of shoes, all valued at K1,690. The Court of Appeal upheld the death sentence and a further 15-year jail term for murder and aggravated robbery, respectively. On July 14 and 15, 2018, Joe Chama and Given Mulauzi murdered Charles Zimba. Chama and Mulauzi also stole a Samsung mobile phone, a coat, a pair of jeans trousers and a pair of canvas shoes, property of Mr Zimba.

According to evidence by a witness, Astridah Sinkala, she saw the two men beat up Mr Zimba. Ms Sinkala saw one of the men carrying the clothes belonging to Mr Zimba. She further testified that the following day, Mulauzi threatened her not to tell anyone about the incident. Ms Sinkala, however, reported the matter at Trisha Police Post within Kanyama Township. In their defence, Chama and Mulauzi denied any links to Mr Zimba’s death. They were both convicted and sentenced to death and 15 years’ imprisonment with hard labour. Dissatisfie d w i t h t h e i r conviction, Chama and Mulauzi appealed against the conviction and sentence.

But Justice Petronella Ngulube, sitting with court president Fulgency Chisanga and Justice Dominic Sichinga, said the court was on firm ground in convicting the duo. “The prosecution evidence was largely premised on the identification evidence which we are of the view that was reliable and satisfactory in every respect. “The issue of possibility of mistaken identity was, therefore, excluded as the evidence on record was strong and adequate to support a conviction,” she said. Justice Ngulube said the convictions were safe and warranted based on the evidence on record.