‘Killer’ soldier sent to High Court

A ZAMBIA Army officer accused of killing a medical doctor in a gruesome murder believed to be a crime of passion has been committed to the High Court for trial.

Lieutenant Nigel Musonda Mwaba, 33, of 392/A Barlastone in Lusaka, was committed yesterday when he appeared in the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court following his arrest on November 28, 2020 after being on the run for about a month.

Particulars of offence are that Mwaba, between October 24 and 26, 2020, murdered 47-year-old Dr. Tasila Tembo Peters who was his lover.

A chained and handcuffed Mwaba was driven to the court premises around 08:30 hours by the anti-robbery officers after which he appeared before Principal Resident Magistrate Mwaka Mikalile who allocated the case to Magistrate Chinunda Chiwaula. Dr. Tembo, who was reportedly murdered in cold blood, went missing from home and a few days later her decomposed body was found near Mikango Barracks with the head severed from the body.

Mwaba was apprehended about three weeks ago after he was cornered at the late Dr. Tembo’s grave at Leopards Hill Memorial Park.

Clad in a light grey top track and charcoal grey bottom track, a gloomy looking

Mwaba told Magistrate Chiwaula that he understood the murder charge after it was read out to him. Mr. Chiwaula later told him that the case he is facing is only tried by the High Court.

Public prosecutor Hermit Maloza then informed the court that the Director of

Public Prosecutions has issued instructions committing the accused person to the High Court for trial and

Mr. Chiwaula accordingly committed him.

After his committal, Mwaba applied to the court to grant him an opportunity to be taken to hospital for ear treatment.

He said his experience in detention caused injury and damage to his ears, which keep on discharging pus and blood and that he has lost hearing on one side because of the damage.

Mwaba also said he was taken to Sikanze police camp where he was seen by a nurse who discovered that he had an infection in his ears.

He said when his family asked for a copy of a medical report they could not be given and that it was later torn.

Mr. Chiwaula then instructed the State to ensure Mwaba undergoes necessary medical attention because it is within his right that he is treated. He was later driven away from the court premises while lying down in a police van.