A 26-year old Zambian male is waiting for judgment after a murder case was heard in the Katima Mulilo regional court on 6 July 2012 wherein he was found guilty.

It is alleged that the accused, Given Manyando Mushiba (26), broke into and entered the house of the late Magret Habasepi Manyando (63) at Kazinzila village in Ngoma area, east of Katima Mulilo town on the night of 12 August 2009 and the early hours of 13 August, and that whilst inside the house he hit the elderly woman on the head with an unknown object, thus causing her death.

It is further alleged that after beating her to death, the accused searched through the deceased’s bags and other properties and that he stole a black bag and some curtains and disappeared from the village to Mutwalwizi village in Lusese area, where he got employment with Alexander Mushaukwa as a herd boy, the work he was doing for the murdered woman’s sister, Magdalena Mutonga, for less than a year.

When the death of Manyando was discovered on 13 August 2009, Mushiba became the prime suspect after he abruptly disappeared from the village without letting people know of his whereabouts. The police were thus informed. In September 2009 the police received further information which led to the arrest of Mushiba at Mutwalwizi village and upon his arrest the accused was found in possession of the murdered woman’s property.

His trial started in the regional court on 6 June 2010 and lead to his conviction on 5 July 2012. He was convicted of murder with direct intent. On 6 July 2012 he appeared before the Regional Court Magistrate William Kasitomo and his case was postponed to 17 July 2012 for judgment. The accused is conducting his own defense and the state case is being conducted by Public Prosecutor Jatiel Mudamburi. Manyando has been in police custody since his arrest on 9 September 2009. He will be sentenced on 17 July 2012.