Cop denies killing suspect

A POLICE officer has denied murdering a suspect, claiming the victim died from the injuries he sustained after falling off the cliff in an attempt to escape arrest.

Constable Sam Phiri 39, of Kafue Estate denied beating Vincent Mweemba of Chirundu during an interrogation.

Phiri of Chirundu police station and Constable Richard Nyirenda are jointly charged with the murder of Mweemba aged 35 which happened on August 17, 2019 in Chirundu.

The victim was arrested together with Misheck Mwachipisha for theft of goods in transit.

Phiri and Nyirenda pleaded not guilty to the charge in the Lusaka High Court.

However in November last year, Judge Mwape Bowa found the two officers with a case to answer and placed them on their defence.

A State Forensic Pathologist,

Dr Adam Muchelenganga, had testified that Mweemba died of blunt impact trauma to the head, torso and limbs as a result of beatings during police interrogation.

Phiri said they arrested Mwachipisha who alleged that he was hired by Mweemba to carry goodsfrom Mulyakapoka hills.

Phiri said Mwachipisha was arrested and he led the officers to Mweemba’s home.

He said the two suspects were arrested at around 23:00hours and taken to Malengo camp.

He said on their way to the camp they interviewed the suspects and Mweemba agreed to show them where the other items were hidden in Mulaykapoka hills.

“As he was trying to lead us, he escaped and fell off the cliff which was 10 to 15 meters to the ground. Nyirenda fired a warning shot and I went and stood where Mweemba jumped off from and we heard him scream,” he said.