MAN KILLS RELATIVE OVER BIRTH CERTFICATE

A MAN killed a distant relative and dumped his body in a fowl run for failing to account for a birth certificate left in his custody years ago.

The matter came to light at the High Court where Blessing Kaninga was found guilty of the murder of Rodreck Mudefa with constructive intent.

Justice Cathrine Bhachi-Muzawazi ruled that Kaninga was reckless in his attacks and worsened the situation by trying to cover up his tracks by dumping the body in a fowl run.

The court heard that Kaninga used two stones and an iron bar to kill Mudefa after inquiring about his birth certificate in September 2019.

He claimed Mudefa had started the scuffle and acted in self-defence.

He also claimed that he’d been possessed by an evil spirit, leaving him with no explanation for killing Mudefa.

“It is the court’s finding based on the evidence alluded to above that there was no self-defence and the defence fails.

“The manner in which the deceased was killed and Kaninga’s actions to cover his tracks and crime, exhibits habits of actual intention to murder,” ruled Justice Bhachi-Muzawazi.

The judge noted that the murder was well planned and Kaninga envied his relative’s lifestyle.

“This was a well-planned and orchestrated murder executed with the motive to rob the deceased of his maize stocks.

“Accordingly, Kaninga is found guilty of murder with constructive intent.

“The discovery of footprints matching those of the accused to and from the deceased’s hut to a place where the deceased’s bags of maize were eventually found concealed, all pointed to the accused as the culprit resulting in his apprehension by the villagers,” ruled Justice Bhachi-Muzawazi.