The State has concluded trial in the case of murder involving a person living with albinism who was brutally killed.
This was after the accused concluded his defense after all the five-prosecution witnessess called by the State testified against him.
This is in a matter in which Paul Banda of Katete is charged is charged for the offence of murder contrary to Section 200, Chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.
Banda, who provided sworn evidence during his defense, testified that Stephen Nkhoma was the one who killed Chaleka Banda, 47, the person who lived with albinism.
The witness testified that even the bag that contained the hair which was shaved from the head of Chaleka, was for Nkhoma and not his.
But when State Advocate, Sidney Siafwa, asked him if he was able to call witnesses to testify for him, Banda responded in the negative.
Upon conclusion of trial, the State applied to provide submissions on 16th January 2025 while the defense would make its submissions on 20th January 2025 with judgement set for 23rd January 2025 at 14 hours.
Earlier, a prosecution witness, Stephen Nkhoma, 35, testified that Paul Banda approached him and said he was allegedly selling hair of a person living with albinism at a cost of K 1 Billion.
Later, Nkhoma reported the matter to Police where officers pretended to be buyers from Tanzania so that Paul Banda could freely give them all information linking him to the murder of Chaleka Banda.
Police Inspector Kedrick Chituli, testified that he pretended to be a buyer while one of the other officers pretended to be an interpreter to provide a favourable environment for Banda to speak freely, which Mr Chituli said he did.
After Banda produced the hair, he told him that for him to buy the hair, there was a need to see at least a skin or the whole body of the person who lived with albinism.
Upon hearing that, Banda led the Police to his garden where he hid the body.
Inspector Chituli said at the scene of crime, Banda informed him that he was selling Chaleka’s body at K 1 Billion.
He testified that he told Banda that money was at the room he booked at Chanida Border and they should go together to collect, until they reached a Police Check point along Katete/Chanida road where Inspector Chituli and other officers identified themselves as Police Officers.
Facts are that on 18th July 2023, Banda went to Chaleka’s house and picked him up to collect sweet potatoes but did not return home until 21st July 2023 when his body was found.
