A 57-year-old farmer of Chibombo district has appeared in the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court for allegedly shooting his employee who he mistook for a thief.

According to the Police, the shooting allegedly happened when the deceased went out to check on the pigs around 03:00 hours and was shot by his employer who heard noise outside.

Botain Kalunga has been charged with one count of murder.

Particulars of the offence are that on July 17 this year in Lusaka, Kalunga murdered Lackson Mugala aged 46.

The matter came up before Chief Resident Magistrate Lameck Mwale, Thursday, for explanation of the charge.

After Kalungu said he understood the charge, magistrate Mwale informed him that he would continue appearing before his court for mention whilst awaiting instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions to commit him to the High Court for trial.

The matter comes up on September 11 this year, for mention.

According to a statement issued by Police public relations officer Esther Katongo right after the incident happened, the victim sustained injuries on the back and was rushed to UTH Hospital for treatment but later died.

“The shooting is alleged to have happened when the deceased went out of his house to check on pigs in a piggery while smoking cigarette. The employer heard noise outside and after seeing a person moving out, he fired using a Shotgun greener double barrel through the window and later discovered that it was his employee. The victim sustained injuries on the back and was rushed to UTH Hospital for treatment and later died,” stated Katongo.

In another matter, four people have appeared in Lusaka Magistrates’ Court for allegedly murdering a man.

In this matter, Rifle Mwiinga Mugwalisa, 57; Kennedy Mwiinga, 21; Rifle Mwiinga junior, 25 and Onesmum Bodela, 21, are charged with murder.

Particulars of the offence are that on June 30 this year, the four murdered James Mwansa.

The four also appeared before Magistrate Mwale for explanation of the charge, Thursday.

The matter comes up on September 11 this year, for mention.