By KASONDE KASONDE-
KABWE High Court judge in-charge, Mwiinde Siavwapa has sentenced a man of Kapiri Mposhi District to death by hanging for brutally killing his sister-in-law.
Particulars of the offence are that Lesley Mutale on September 11, 2013 killed Namwemba Kapwaya by hitting her with a car battery on the head.
Facts before the court are that Mutale who was married to the deceased sister beat up  Ms Kapwaya and left her to die after they had an argument in his house.
This was when Ms Kapwaya had gone to Mutale’s house to pick up her sister’s clothes after their marriage was dissolved.
Mr Justice Siavwapa said he found Mutale guilty of murder.
“It is unfortunate that you decided to kill your sister-in-law in such a manner, I find your actions barbaric and inhuman and therefore sentence you to death by hanging until you are pronounced dead,” Mr Justice Siavwapa said.
Meanwhile, Mr Justice Siavwapa has sentenced Peter Chibuye, 42, to 20 years imprisonment with hard labour for murdering his uncle on suspicion that he was practicing witchcraft.
Particulars of the offence are that Chibuye on August 11, 2013, in Serenje District murdered John Panda his uncle after suspecting him of being a witch.
Facts before the court are that Chibuye on the said date around 19:00 hours went to the deceased’s house in the company of another man who is still on the run and told the deceased to accompany them to a witch doctor that they alleged had told them that he had charms.
When Mr Panda refused to accompany them to the witch doctor they exchanged bitter words before a fight that led to the deceased hitting his head to the ground when he fell.
Mr Justice Siavwapa in passing sentence said it was inhuman to kill another person in this case his uncle, adding that cases of relatives killing their older members of the family on suspicion of witchcraft were on the rise hence the need for stiffer punishment on those found guilty.