A Kitwe based High Court Judge Catherine Makungu has sentenced a 40 year old man of Kabompo district to six years imprisonment with hard labour for manslaughter.
Before Justice Makungu was Godwin Lumayi, 40, of Kabompo district in the North-western province, who was charged with manslaughter, contrary to section 199 of the penal code cap 87 of the laws of Zambia.
Lumayi pleaded guilty to the charge of killing his wife Joyce Sazhi 44, after a quarrel.
Facts before the court were that on September 26, 2008, Lumayi and his wife went to attend a male initiation ceremony known as Mukanda around 20 hours in Kambululu village in Manyinga area.
While at the ceremony, the couple started drinking beer with other people.
further fact in court indicate that upon returning home from the ceremony later that night, the two started quarrelling over an unknown issue which led to a fight.
It is alleged that Lumayi beat up his wife using fists and kicks.
The following day on 27th September 2008 around 05:00hrs, Sazhi died in their house due to internal injuries in the abdomen as indicated by a postmortem report that was presented by a medical officer from Kabompo district hospital.
Lumayi was later arrested and charged for murder and remanded in custody.
The court however reduced the charge to manslaughter after considering certain circumstances that led to Sazhi’s death.
In mitigation, Legal Aid Counsel, Humphrey Mweemba said Lumayi was a first offender who has five children.
Mr. Mweemba mitigated that Lumayi has been in custody from 27th September, 2008, a period which was long enough to teach him a lesson.
He also said Lumayi had stomach problems and so he needed to be near the herbalists that were treating him.
He asked the court to exercise maximum lenience on Lumayi.
When passing judgment, Justice Makungu said she had taken into account the mitigation but sentenced Lumayi to six years imprisonment with hard labour with effect from 27th September, 2008, the day he was first detained in custody.
ZANIS
Sad ending indeed…..If only things could be reversed, but unfortunately not, we will keep paying the price for the life we have chosen.:-?
And what about those so called leaders who have slaughtered our nation but are still walking free?
Not fair! :((
Some activities just don’t go well for hubby & wifey. This is why most men would rather leave home to drink with their friends or workmates and only return home to sleep peacefully beside their spouses. I’m sure the man has even lost total recall over what he was doing that night.
Nine Chale the only solution is for people to stop drinking. Alcohol brings so much evil in marriages.
Fighting over unknown issue, that must have been ‘filling’ he wanted to do it but the lady said no.