Chilanga member of parliament Kieth Mukata has appeared in the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court on allegations of murder.

However, magistrate Ireen Wishimanga could not explain the charge to him this morning as his ‘wife’ and co-accused Charmine Musonda was not present before court.

Mukata, who is also a lawyer and Musonda, a business woman are accused of shooting dead a security guard at his law firm in Lusaka’s Rhodes Park area last week.

“Keith Akekelwa Mukata and Charmine Musonda on 6th May, 2017 at Lusaka in the Lusaka District of the Lusaka Province of the Republic of Zambia, jointly and whilst acting together did murder one Namakambwa Kailiakwenda,” read the indictment.

When the case came up today, the state said Musonda was unwell and that she was in hospital.

Magistrate Wishimanga then said it was not possible to explain the charge in the absence of the co-accused.

Defense lawyers Lubinda Linyama, Bonaventure Mutale, Bwalya Mukunza also confirmed that Musonda was in hospital.

Magistrate Wishimanga then adjourned the matter to May 19 for explanation of charge.

Mukata, who was escorted to court by four plain clothed police officers around 10:00 hours appeared calm.