The High Court sitting in Phalombe has convicted one and acquitted two more of the initial six people suspected of killing Yosefe Muyaya, a 14-year-old boy with albinism. Earlier this year, Judge Violet Chipao found two others without a case to answer while one died in the course of trial.
The six were charged with three counts of murder, extracting human tissue and trafficking in persons.
Delivering her judgment, Justice Chipao found the first accused person, Patrick Thomson Muhevule guilty on all charges of murder, extracting human tissue and trafficking in person, having confessed to have participated in ‘slaughtering’ Muyaya along a river bank, two years ago.
However, Justice Chipao acquitted fifth and sixth accused persons, Frank Nakuphethe and Liston Mapondo Kachochola respectively, saying there was no sufficient evidence to prove them guilty.
The second accused person, Zione Mukhala died in prison, while the third and fourth, Felix Jafali Kilimani and Felix Stone, were found with no case to answer and were acquitted soon after the State finished parading their witnesses.
“We are happy with the judgment because it is a true reflection of the evidence that was presented in court.
We are happy for the four accused persons who have been acquitted in this matter,” said lead defence counsel, Newton Mdazizira.
He led a team of three Legal Aid Bureau lawyers in defending the six accused persons; others being Raphael Makanje and Kelicia Chingeni, while Andrew Salamba represented the state.
“We have received the judgement. We’ll study it and decide whether to appeal,” he said.
Judge Chipao has adjourned the matter to April 28th, 2022, for the sentencing.
