MAINA SOKO NURSE TESTIFIES IN SHIKAPWASHA MURDER TRIAL

The trial surrounding the tragic death of former Zambia Air Force (ZAF) Commander and cabinet minister, retired Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha, took a new turn as medical personnel testified before High Court Judge Conceptor Zulu. Sergeant Mutinta Muleya, a nurse on duty at the Maina Soko Military Medical Centre's emergency department on January 14, 2024, provided a detailed account of the events following the fatal shooting at the couple's Ibex Hill residence in Lusaka. According to her testimony, the late general was rushed to the medical facility around 17:00 hours, holding his abdomen with a blood-stained white towel. Sergeant Muleya told the court that upon initial assessment, General Shikapwasha's vital signs remained within normal ranges, and he clearly identified himself to the medical staff. However, as she proceeded to collect routine blood samples, she inquired about the nature of the incident. The late general reportedly responded that his gun had fired before becoming visibly restless, prompting the medical team to prioritize urgent stabilization rather than further interrogation. The testimony sheds light on the immediate aftermath of the incident that ultimately claimed the life of the prominent military figure and former diplomat. The high-profile murder trial involves the late general's 73-year-old widow, Jane Lusengo, who faces a single count of murder contrary to Section 200 of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia. Prosecutors allege that she fatally shot her husband of over fifty years using a double-barrel shotgun. Throughout the court proceedings, the defense and prosecution have scrutinized conflicting narratives regarding domestic events, ballistic evidence, and the precise sequence of actions leading up to the fatal wound. In addition to the medical testimony, forensic experts also presented crucial findings before Judge Zulu. Forensic Analyst Innocent Makasa testified regarding DNA profiling conducted on various items r