ZAF Officer manslaughter case fails to take off

Trial in the case in which four people including Police officers are charged with manslaughter for allegedly causing the death of Zambia Air Force officer, Mark Choongwa in police cells at Woodlands Police Station in March 2017, has failed to take place after one of the accused James Ngulube fell sick.

In this matter, Police chief inspector Veronica Lucy Shawa, Mike Kapale, also a police officer, Lyton Mwale, a driver and James Ngulube, an Archives officer are charged with manslaughter contrary to section 199 of the penal code cap 87 of the laws of Zambia.

It is alleged that the accused caused the death of Choongwa between March 17 and 18, 2017.

When the matter came up for commencement of trial this morning before Lusaka High Court Judge Mwila Kombe, the defence asked for an adjournment as one of the their clients was unwell and could not stand trial.

But Judge Konmbe instead stood down the matter and requested that the defence produce documentation to prove that Ngulube was indeed sick.

When the matter came up in the afternoon, the defence presented a sick note before the court which prompted judge Kombe to adjourn the matter to 11th June, 2018 for commencement of trial.