A University of Zambia (UNZA) security officer has narrated to the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court how a student accused of trafficking in psychotropic substances allegedly hacked him with a machete and hit him with a stick when he tried to apprehend him to the extent that he blacked out.

In this matter, Allan Muvundo, a special education and history student, is facing three counts of trafficking and possession of psychotropic substances as well as unlawful wounding.

It is alleged in count one that on November 12, 2018, Muvundo trafficked in 9,918Kg of marijuana without lawful authority.

In count two, it is alleged that on the same date, Muvundo had in his possession 0.2 Diazapam drug.

In the third count, it is alleged that on the same date, Muvundo unlawfully wounded Jerry Chiwambo, a security officer at UNZA.

And when the matter came up for continued trial before Magistrate Nsunge Chanda, Monday, Chiwambo told the Court that on the material day between 10 and 11:00 hours, he was on duty when his supervisor asked him to accompany some Zambia Police Service officers who wanted to apprehend some suspects who were allegedly conducting illegal activities.

“I was asked to accompany State police officers to President hostel block six where students were conducting some illegal activities,” Chiwambo said.

Chiwambo said when they got to the room, they found three people, among them, the accused.

He, however, added that one of them escaped through the window upon seeing them.

Chiwambo told the Court that at that point, the accused removed a machete from his waist and attempted to hack him in the head.

He said he guarded his head with his left hand causing the accused to hack him on his forearm.

Chiwambo said the student further hit him with a stick, causing him to black out.

“He produced a machete from his waist and aimed it at my head. I guarded it using my left hand. At this juncture, the situation in the room became chaotic and Allan Muvundo tried to escape. I remember grabbing him despite the injury. Whilst we were falling down, he grabbed my head and hit me with a stick. I blacked out only to find myself at Levy Mwanawasa Hospital,” he narrated.

And medical doctor at Levy Mwanawasa University Hospital Dr Bulaya Philip explained that Chiwambo’s wound on the left forearm was 5cm, and that extensive section of his skin was completely torn off the underlying tissue.

He said he had to stitch the wound and put the patient on antibiotics.

“On the material day around 12 to 14:00 hours, we received a male patient with the history of assault. He was in a security officer’s uniform from the University of Zambia. He was presented with an injury to the left forearm, which was already bandaged. I took the patient to the emergency room. I unwrapped the wound and it was about 5cms and it was a degloving wound. I had to suture it and the patient was put on antibiotics,” narrated Dr Bulaya.