Mother demand conviction of coupled for daughter’s death

A MOTHER yesterday told the Lusaka High Court that she wants the couple of Chalala area convicted for allegedly ending the life of her 14-year-old daughter, Janet Chola. Constance Mwelwa a peasant farmer from Mansa district in Luapula Province testified before Judge Vincent Siloka, that the accused woman, Majory Lulembo did threaten on phone that she may receive just a corpse of Janet who had become problematic and was eating baby’s porridge.

And that when she spoke to her daughter, Janet could not clearly admit to the accusations but all she said was,”Mayo ndefwa”, meaning “Mum! I am dying”.

Mwelwa said the daughter did also state that she had been beaten.

“That’s how I warned her” if my daughter dies, you will know what to do”

Then Chanda said the earlier statement she made that I will receive a dead body was just a joke.

Then she said she will the next day take my daughter to the clinic,” she testified.

But next day, she received a call through her brother that Janet had died.

This is in matter Lulembo,30, medical personnel and her husband, Smart Mumba ,36, a lecturer, are accused of murdering Janet between August 28 and 30,2023.

The 14-year-old victim is alleged to have worked as a maid for the couple.

Mwelwa testified that she had allowed her daughter to travel to Lusaka because she was given assurance that the girl will be enrolled into school and treated well like a biological child to the couple.

She said she had even advised Lulembo not to beat Janet if she made a mistake but to only counsel her.

Mwelwa said Lulembo had sent K500 for her transport to Lusaka.

However, after two months of the girl’s stay with the couple, she received a card that Janet had become naught and was eating baby’s porridge.

In cross examination, Mwelwa was asked if she was told that Janet was sexually enticing the boy who was in the house, she responded in the negative.

Trial continues on May 9, 2024.