A 34-year-old man of Chadiza district has been sentenced to five years imprisonment for killing his friend during a drinking spree.
Vincent Banda, the convict, appeared before Lusaka based High Court Judge Kazimbe Chenda who is currently sitting in Chipata.
Banda was appearing for murder, an offence that was reduced to manslaughter. He pleaded guilty to the offence of manslaughter.
Facts before the court were that on April 26, 2020, the convict caused the death of his friend Calfasi Chongo.
The court heard that on April 26, 2020, the two were drinking beer at Kamwala village in Chadiza and after the beer ran out, the two decided to move to the next village in search of more alcohol.
On their way to search for beer, a fight ensued after Chongo allegedly touched the convict on his back.
Chongo was kicked on the legs and he fell hitting his head on the ground.
The court heard that Banda then left his friend unconscious on the road and proceeded to search for beer.
The deceased’s body was found lying on the road by some members of the public on April 27, 2021.
Banda was later arrested and charged with murder which was later reduced to manslaughter.
In mitigation, defence lawyer Sally Bwalya, asked the court to exercise leniency when sentencing her client.
Ms. Bwalya said her client has learnt a bitter lesson and will never abuse alcohol in future.
She said her client is ashamed that he left his friend on the ground after an altercation and a fight.
Ms. Bwalya further asked the court to put in consideration the fact that both the convict and the deceased were intoxicated when the incident happened.
In his judgment, Judge Chenda said he had taken note of what was said in mitigation by the convict through his counsel but observed that the offence committed by Banda was a serious one.
Mr. Justice Chenda said it is important for people to learn on how to be resolving misunderstandings in a nonviolent manner.
He therefore sentenced Banda to five years simple imprisonment with effect from the date of his arrest, which is April 27, 2020. He advised Banda to appeal to the Supreme Court if he was aggrieved with the conviction and judgment.-
