Zambia politician to hang for murder

A Zambian court has sentenced a prominent opposition politician to death for killing a guard. FILE PHOTO | NATION 

In Summary

• Prominent opposition politician Keith Mukata sentenced to death for killing a guard.
• He shot the guard dead as the he was attempting to separate Mukata from a girlfriend the politician was fighting with.
• Mukata's co accused and girlfriend Charmane Musonda, was acquitted due to lack of evidence.

By MICHAEL CHAWE
More by this Author

A Lusaka Court Wednesday sentenced a prominent opposition politician to death for killing a guard.

Keith Mukata shot the guard dead as the latter was attempting to separate him from a girlfriend the
politician was fighting with.

"The Lusaka High has sentenced Chilanga UPND Member of Parliament, [Keith] Mukata to death by hanging after finding him guilty of murder," reported state radio.

Mukata's co accused and girlfriend Charmane Musonda, was acquitted due to lack of evidence, according to the state radio.

Shooting to death

The duo was arrested on May 6, 2017 for allegedly shooting to death the security guard, Mr Namakambwa Kalilakwenda.

Related Content

• Tanzanian movie star jailed for death of famous lover
• Magufuli under pressure to repeal the death penalty
• Love, lies and murder: The incredible story of Kanumba

Lusaka High Court Judge Susan Wanjelani was quoted saying there was overwhelming evidence that Mukata killed his security guard.

In mitigation Mukata, also a lawyer, asked for a lesser sentence as he was a first offender and has numerous responsibilities.

But the judge said there was sufficient evidence that he had intention to kill his security guard.

After she delivered judgement in a fully parked court room, there was a chorus of wailing by Mukata's sympathisers.

Zambia has not hanged any convict after the Frederick Chiluba's regime which ended in 2001,but still maintains the death penalty in its statutes.