SOLWEZI HIGH COURT SENTENCES A 42 YEAR OLD MAN TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT

A 42-YEAR-OLD man of Mwinilunga District has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Solwezi High Court after being found guilty of killing his wife.

Solwezi High court judge, Obister Musukwa found Patrick Sangunja guilty of murdering his wife, Gertrude Kanema, on 25th August, 2022 in Mwinilunga district.

The charge is contrary to section 200 of the Penal Code, CAP 87 of the laws of Zambia.

The court heard that Sangunja poured petrol on his wife Gertrude Kanema and set her ablaze after suspecting her of having an extra marital affair.

The deceased who sustained fatal burns from the face to the abdomen died at Mwinilunga district hospital two months after the incident.

But in his defence, Sangunja denied burning his wife or suspecting her of infidelity adding that the deceased set herself ablaze.

Justice Musukwa handed down a life sentence on Sangunja yesterday, after establishing that the state had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

He said he was satisfied that Sangunja deliberately burnt his wife and caused her fatal burns which led to her death adding that his action was not only unlawful but a calculated move with intention to cause death or grievous bodily harm.

“From the evidence before me, from the prosecution witnesses in respect of this matter, I am satisfied that the accused burnt his wife on the material day and she later died from burns she suffered at the instance of the accused,” Justice Musukwa said.

He noted that Sangunja’s action was not as a result of a heat of passion or loss of self-control as he denied suspecting his wife of infidelity.

“I find the accused being economical with the truth in light of his testimony that his wife burnt herself, this is a concocted story and he cannot benefit from it,” Justice Musukwa said.

Justice Musukwa said he did not find any explanatory circumstances on the record that would warrant the court to impose any other sentence other than life imprisonment on Sangunja.

“I have taken note of circumstances in respect of this matter and note that the accused deliberately set his wife ablaze and intended to cause death or grievous bodily harm”