TWO family members have been sentenced to life imprisonment with hard labour by the Chipata High Court for killing their cousin, who had confiscated their cattle after grazing in his field.
Richard Nkhoma, 23, and Charles Nkhoma, 23, killed Anthony Banda by hitting him with an iron bar after he refused to release five cows that grazed in his field in Lundazi last May.
During trial, High Court Judge Sharon Newa heard that the incident happened after Banda confiscated five cows belonging to Richard after they destroyed his crops.
Arresting officer Stephen Banda in his testimony told the court that Charles helped Richard to hit Banda by holding and pinning him down to the ground.
In defence, Richard testified that he went to Banda’s residence to find out why he got his cattle and during the dispute, a fight ensued. In the process, he hit Banda on his back with a metal bar, leading to his death.
Richard told the court that he was acting in self-defence because Banda had hit him first with the same iron bar, which he later grabbed and hit him with it.
He also told the court that Banda provoked him after insulting him before hitting him with his iron bar.
Charles testified that he never took part in the fight but just pulled away his uncle, Richard, and told him to stop fighting.
Ms Justice Newa said the State had proved the case against the duo beyond reasonable doubt and convicted them accordingly.
“There is no evidence on record to show that they were acting in self-defence. The defence of provocation has also failed because they did not react just there and then to the insults,” she said.
Judge Newa, having found no extenuating circumstances, sentenced the duo to life imprisonment with hard labour.
– Zambia Daily Mail
