UNZA Don acquitted

By NATION REPORTER A University of Zambia (UNZA) lecturer who accidentally shot his fellow lecturer and another person while hunting birds in the Kafue plains was yesterday set free by the Lusaka High Court.

Dr Gershom Chishimba, a Natural Science lecturer was facing two counts of manslaughter. High Court judge Mwape Bowa vindicated acquitted Dr Chishimba who was facing two counts of man slaughter of Greenford Mchelen’ganga and Elias Chalwe. The incident happened on December 27 2013 in Liuwa National park, Kafue. The court found that the gun accidentally discharged as Dr Chishimba fell into a ditch filled with water and grass and that there was no evidence to show intent to kill. “I have considered evidence in totality and I find that there was no animosity between the accused and the deceased as it is clear that the two were friends, “The plains was full of water and the accused person accidentally fell into a ditch. When he pulled himself out, he went to give first aid to his friends,” judge Bowa said. He however, said Dr Chishimba and Mr Mchelen’ganga exhibited negligence when they failed to put their shot guns on safety catch. In his defence during trial, Dr Chishimba told the court that on the material day, he went hunting with his friend Mr Mchelen’ganga who had been walking in front with Mr Chalwe, a fisherman of Shibuyunji area. He testified that while they were walking in the plains, he suddenly fell into a ditch and he heard his friend cry out saying ‘Bakalamba Mwatuchena’ (you have hurt us!). Chishimba further testified that he managed to pull himself out and rushed to where the two were lying and tried to give them first aid before he could seek help.