Expert gives evidence in Mukata murder trial

A CRIME scene investigative expert has told the Lusaka High Court that UPND Chilanga Member of Parliament Keith Mukata showed him the position where he allegedly fired the first gunshot in the air and another two shots on the wall fence and gate.

This is in a matter in which Mukata and his lover, Charmaine Musonda, are facing one count of murdering Namakabwa Kalila Kwenda, a security guard who had been on duty at AKM Legal Practitioners, his law firm

The incident happened on 6th May, 2017.

It was alleged that the deceased was shot dead at the law firm located in Rhodespark, Alex Masala Road.

Testifying before Justice Susan Wanjelani, detective Superintendent Lucas Shabalatani, a crime scene investigator, told the court that on 6th May, 2017, he was assigned to reconstruct a scene of murder in which Kwenda was shot.

Shabalatani testified that he went to Emmasdale police with a team of Forensic officers to pick up the accused.

The court heard that Mr Mukata led him to the crime scene where Mukata demonstrated, showing him the first position where he had parked his vehicle and another position where he allegedly fired one gunshot and also where he fired two gunshots.

Shabalatani said the accused further showed him the position where the body was lying.

“I went to Emmasdale police with a team of Forensic officers from Matero police. I was led to the crime scene by Mr Mukata since I did not know the place.

“At the scene, Mr Mukata showed me the position where he parked his vehicle and another position where he allegedly fired one gunshot in the air and another position where he allegedly fired two gun shots and from there, he showed me where the body of the deceased had been lying,” he said.

Shabalatani testified that at the spot where the deceased was lying, he saw a substance that looked like blood and that near the same spot, he found a bullet hole on the wall and another one on the gate.

He said that after a thorough examination of the premises, he discovered two empty cartridges which he collected and submitted for examination.

Mr Shabalatani said that on 9th May, 2017, inquiries on the matter where extended to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) where he inspected the body of the deceased.

He said that he noticed that the deceased had a bullet wound on the front of the neck and another bullet wound on the back.

Mr Shabalatani told the court that from there, he prepared a report and photo album showing proceedings at the scene, mortuary and the body of the deceased.

Meanwhile, Detective Chief Inspector in the forensic science department, Vincent Chibesa told the court that after investigations and different analysis were taken, it was confirmed that the cartilages found at the scene matched the pistol serial number PZ2113C that was found in Mr Mukata’s motor vehicle.

“I reached an unescapable conclusion that the fire arm that was in Mr Mukata’s possession has the same serial number with the cartilages that were picked in that place, this is so because no two weapons can have the same serial number even if they were manufactured in the same place,” he said

Trial continues on 14th September, 2017.