Man Beaten To Death Over K3

A 35-year old woman of chief Chinunda’s area in Chipata’s has testified how her husband was beaten to death by his friend over a K3 debt.
Testifying in the matter where Yotam Banda, also of Chinunda area, is charged with murder in the Chipata High Court, Sara Zulu of Chilindila village explained that her husband, George Phiri, was beaten by Banda on September 26, 2013 after a drinking spree.
Zulu told the court that whilst she was in the house around 18:00hours, she heard some noise outside.
“My husband shouted, mayo nafa That’s when I went outside where I found Yotam beating my husband and he was on top him. By then my husband had blood all over his body. I removed Yotam and when I asked him what he was doing, he didn’t respond, he only ran away,” she explained.
Zulu said her husband told her that Yotam hit him using a bottle when he reminded him of his K3 debt.
She said her husband sustained four cuts to the head and two to the neck.
Zulu said before the incident, the two were drinking Kachasu together.
She explained that after Yotam fled, her brother informed the neighbourhood watch about what had transpired.
Zulu said Phiri was first taken to the hospital on an ox-cart belonging to the suspect’s father.
“At the hospital, they referred us to Chipata Central Police Station and by the time we were reaching the police, my husband had already died,” she explained.
During cross-examination by senior Legal Aid counsel John Phiri, Zulu said the suspect arrived at the deceased house around 14:00 hours and started drinking Kachasu untill 16:00 hours.
Trial in the matter which is before judge Mungeni Mulenga continues.