A Thyolo court cleared Zichepe Jimmy, 35, of murder charges last week. Jimmy had faced accusations of killing Isaac Muhula in March 2022 in Chibwana Village. Prosecutors claimed Jimmy stole a mobile phone from Muhula after attacking him with someone else. The court decided prosecutors lacked enough proof to continue the case against Jimmy.
The judge pointed out several problems with the evidence presented. Muhula supposedly named Jimmy before dying, but nobody could identify the second attacker. Police never tried to locate the stolen phone that might have connected Jimmy to the crime. Medical reports showed Muhula died from cuts made by a panga knife, but Jimmy allegedly admitted to hitting him with a stick.
The prosecution failed to show that Jimmy caused the injuries that killed Muhula. They also could not prove Jimmy meant to kill Muhula, which murder charges require. These gaps led the High Court to declare Jimmy not guilty after examining all the evidence. The court released Jimmy immediately following the decision.
The judge pointed out several problems with the evidence presented. Muhula supposedly named Jimmy before dying, but nobody could identify the second attacker. Police never tried to locate the stolen phone that might have connected Jimmy to the crime. Medical reports showed Muhula died from cuts made by a panga knife, but Jimmy allegedly admitted to hitting him with a stick.
The prosecution failed to show that Jimmy caused the injuries that killed Muhula. They also could not prove Jimmy meant to kill Muhula, which murder charges require. These gaps led the High Court to declare Jimmy not guilty after examining all the evidence. The court released Jimmy immediately following the decision.
