Accused in IBA director-general’s murder case to await high court committal on Oct. 7

Accountant Francis Chipyoka, along with two police officers and a systems engineer, will wait until October 7, 2024, for a possible committal to the High Court in the murder case of Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) Director General Guntila Muleya.

Chipyoka, 42, was charged jointly with M’Thusani Baza Dokowe, 29, and Alex Caleb Zulu, 30, both police officers, and Samuel Baza Dokowe, 37, an engineer.

During the court appearance before Magistrate Mutinta Mwenya, relatives of the late Muleya, including his mother, were visibly emotional.

The case was adjourned to allow for the substitution of the indictment.

The State informed the court that the certificate of committal was still pending but would be ready within two weeks.

Defence lawyer Osborn Ngoma argued for a quicker resolution, stating the accused had been in custody for an extended period and urging the State to finalise documentation within seven days.

Prosecutor Frank Sikazwe requested the full 14 days, without disclosing the reason for the delay.

The court adjourned the matter until October 7, 2024, for the expected committal to the High Court. Muleya’s body was discovered on the outskirts of Lusaka in July 2024, bearing gunshot wounds.

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