ZAMBIA. SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS FOUR DEATH SENTENCES, COMMUTES A FIFTH

May 2, 2006: the Zambian Supreme Court upheld four death sentences passed by the High Court, including that of a police officer who killed three High School teachers in September 2001. Judge Christopher Mushabati, who examined the matter together with Justice Lombe Chibesakunda and Sandson Silomba, upheld the death sentence of the police officer Kenious Sialuzi, convicted of killing the three Kasisi Girls’ High School teachers. Sialuzi was jointly charged with the late former State House comptroller, Gibson Zimba, for the murders of Mfumu Ching'ambu, Kelvin Nyirongo and Elion Mupenda. The three died shortly after the shooting. Justice Mushabati said the three were not found to be in possession of any weapons on them when they were shot dead in Zimba's yard. He said excessive force was used on the three teachers as several bullet wounds were found on their bodies. The motive for the crime was not mentioned.
In a separate case, the Supreme Court upheld the death sentences of Bubble Kamwanga and Happy Wamunyima, jointly charged with murdering Nyakamwandi Kanyambi in August 1998. It was alleged the two murdered Kanyambi after pushing her into a house which was on fire on August 31, 1998.
The court also upheld the death sentence of Frederick Sichilya after he was convicted and sentenced to death by a Kasama High Court of shooting dead his brother. Lastly, Golden Museba and Kebby Kashinamilunda walked to freedom after the Court quashed the death sentence and a 20-year jail term handed to them by a lower Court. (Sources: The Times of Zambia, 02/05/2006)