A consultant state pathologist says Lusaka businessman Reeves Malambo died due to loss of blood as a result of a stab wound which was about 25 to 30 centimetres deep.

This is in a case in which Tshabu Benos is accused of murdering Malambo in January.

When the case came up for continued trial today, Dr Luchenga Mucheleng’anga, 38, said when Malambo had a 1.5 centimetre wide wound with clean sharp edges.

Dr Mucheleng’anga, who works under the Zambia Police but operates at the University Teaching Hospital, said after opening Malambo’s body, he noticed a horizontal cut on the aorta.

He explained that when the aorta, which is a very high pressure vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body, is cut, 80 per cent of the individuals die instantly while 20 per cent of those who arrive at the hospital have minimal chances of survival.

The witness said most people died within 30 minutes of cutting their aortas.

He testified that the deceased lost a lot of blood which made his vital organs such as the brain, kidneys and liver non functional.

Dr Mucheleng’anga said in this case, the thoracic or chest aorta was lacerated and the sharp force trauma could only be produced by pointed and sharp instruments like knives, screw drivers and gunshots.

The doctor said the wound was consistent with the stab wound and most likely, a knife was used.

He said the track of an injury was measuring 25 to 30 centimeters deep adding that one must use significant force to penetrate the lung, chest and aorta.

Dr Mucheleng’anga further explained that the lung collapsed on the right side of the chest and there was 1.500 millilitres of blood.

He said the lung had three cuts showing the direction which the instrument used.

The post mortem was conducted on February 1, 2017 after receiving an order from the coroner and at the end of an autopsy, a postmortem report was compiled.

Trial continues.