By JULIUS PHIRI –
A MOZAMBICAN will spend 65 years in a Zambian jail for strangling two women and attempting to kill another.
Jose Antonio Goliad, 26, engaged in a drinking spree of a highly potent brew, kachasu, after which he pursued the women, killing two of them in the bush.
The heinous incident happened on November 11, 2014 in Chagunda Village in Chadiza District where Goliad murdered Ireen Banda and Tiwode Banda using a chitenge material.
Particulars of the offences were that Goliad came to Zambia on November 10 and, while drinking the illicit brew demanded for about K14 change but ended up assaulting the person selling kachasu, who was later treated at a clinic.
In cross-examination, Goliad claimed that he attacked Zenaida Phiri because he wanted his change and that he had no intention to commit the offences.
In counts two and three, Goliad on November 11, while drinking beer murdered Tiwode and Ireen using Chitenge in the bush contrary to section 215 and 200 CAP 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
Goliad was apprehended by the neighbourhood watch while trying to flee the country to Malawi and was later handed over to Chadiza police.
In mitigation, senior counsel from Legal Aid Board, John Phiri said Goliad was remorseful of what had transpired on the material day.
Mr Phiri said there were extenuating circumstances that led Goliad to commit the offences as he was intoxicated after consuming a large quantity of beer.
The State called six witnesses who all testified against Goliad as the one who committed the offences.
Passing judgment, High Court Judge Mwila Chitabo said he had taken into consideration what was in the mitigation by the defence counsel, that there were extenuating circumstances which led Goliad to commit the offences.
Mr Justice Chitabo said he had noted that the convict had been taking alcohol from 07:00 hours to 12:00 hours which led him to commit the offences, and sentenced him to 45 years imprisonment with hard labour.
The judge also sentenced Goliad to 20 years imprisonment with hard labour for attempted murder.
The 20 and 45 years would not run concurrently but separately, and Goliad would first do the 20 years and thereafter serve the remaining 45 years for murder
