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Smart Mumba, who is on trial alongside his wife for the death of their 14-year-old maid, Janet Mpundu, has told the Lusaka High Court that the girl had behavioral issues, including stealing, lying, and refusing to work.
Mumba, a nurse and lecturer, testified that on the night of August 28, 2023, Janet was watching television while holding their baby when she suddenly dropped the child, rendering him unconscious.
He said the infant later regained consciousness after resuscitation efforts.
Mumba and his wife, Chanda Lwembo, lived with their children and domestic help. Prosecutors allege that Janet died from severe physical abuse, while the couple insists her death was unexpected.
Mumba testified that the family had been struggling to care for their newborn twins, both of whom had medical complications.
His wife, who had undergone a C-section, developed a life-threatening condition called pulmonary embolism.
Seeking help with household chores, they initially turned to a relative before hiring Janet through a family connection.
According to Mumba, Janet had worked for them for only a month before her death.
He claimed she had complained of abdominal and chest pains, prompting a visit to a local clinic where she was prescribed basic medication.
On the night of the incident, Mumba said he became furious after Janet dropped the baby and disciplined her with a belt.
Amid the commotion, he claimed she ran into the kitchen and accidentally knocked over a pot of hot porridge, sustaining burns on her head, face, neck, arms, and legs.
He testified that he poured water over her burns and advised her to take a bath.
Despite her injuries, Janet reportedly went to sleep after taking painkillers. However, the following morning, she was found unresponsive. Mumba said he attempted CPR, but she showed no signs of life.
He told the court that he contacted police officers at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH), who advised them to take Janet’s body to the facility.
However, upon examination, authorities discovered bruises and other injuries, leading to the couple’s arrest.
Mumba denied allegations of torture, insisting that he only whipped Janet that night and that his wife never physically harmed her.
He also expressed doubts about the official postmortem report, which concluded that Janet died from blunt force trauma to the head due to assault.
Mumba stated that he was not present during the examination.
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