The Livingstone High Court in Mazabuka has acquitted four of five family members charged with murder, while another relative has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the same crime.
Miyanda Muchongwe, Pathias Muchongwe, Chimuka Muchongwe, Joyce Mwanamoonga, and Moses Moobe faced murder charges under Section 200 of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia. They were accused of killing Margaret Hachintu Habwizu on September 19, 2022, in Monze, over suspicions of witchcraft, which they all denied.
The house of the deceased caught fire on the date in question, and she succumbed to her injuries the next day.
Miyanda Muchongwe was alleged to have been seen by the deceased’s nephew setting the house on fire, and a witness testified that Miyanda confessed to the arson in a phone call.
Previously, Miyanda had attacked the deceased at his father’s funeral, accusing her of using witchcraft to cause his death, but she was rescued by those present. Miyanda claimed to have been in Lusaka on the day of the fire, but the court did not accept his alibi.
Chimuka and Moses were linked to the incident due to their presence with Miyanda at the time, while Pathias and Joyce were implicated because of their accusations of witchcraft and a related land dispute, but there was not enough evidence to hold them responsible for the death.
Source: Byta FM
