Witness Tells Court Mukata Shouted For Help After His Guard Was Shot

THE Lusaka High Court today heard that lawyer Keith Mukata shouted that his guard had been shot at and needed help to take him to the hospital.

This is in a case where Mukata and his lover Charmaine Musonda are charged with murder.

The duo is alleged to have killed a security guard, Namakambwa Kalilakwenda, at AKM Legal Practitioners, Mukata’s law firm, on May 6.

Testifying before High Court judge Susan Wanjelani today, Collins Kabanda, 39, a security guard from Pre-Secure, who was stationed at Altitude Advertising, said on the material day, he heard Mukata shouting for help that his guard had been shot at.

He said after he heard screams, he peeped through the pigeon window and immediately heard Mukata shouting.

Kabanda also testified that on May 6, around midnight, he heard Mushabati (deceased guard) shout wena (you) and when he peeped through the window, he heard the voice shouting ‘open the gate’ twice.

He said after the voice, the first gunshot was heard.

He also said while Mukata was shouting for help, he heard footsteps, indicating that people were running.

Kabanda said the owner of the Spice Bar located next to AKM Legal Practitioners was the one who called the police.

The witness further told judge Wanjelani that Mukata was with Musonda whose names he did not know but identified her in court.

He said on the material day around 19:00 hours, Musonda drove into the law firm in a Land Cruiser and he opened the gate for her.

Kabanda said after Musonda entered, Mukata went to the gate to greet them and gave them a K200, which they shared.
He said he knew Musonda facially because he had seen her on several occasions.

The witness said after the shooting incident, he saw Musonda standing behind the Land Cruiser and was heading to the gate so that she could leave.

In cross-examination, Kabanda said he did not see who shot at Mushabati.

He also said he did not know about Mushabati’s other names.

Earlier, the accused persons took fresh plea after the particulars were amended and they pleaded not guilty.

Another witness related to the deceased, who also went to identify the body at the mortuary, said apart from Namakambwa Kalimukwenda, he did not know any other names.

Trial continues on September 8.