THE Lusaka Magistrates’ Court has committed the four pupils who are accused of killing a Kabulonga Secondary School pupil to the High Court for trial.

Lusaka Magistrate Nsunge Chanda informed the four that they would appear in the High Court at the next criminal session.

The four pupils of Twin Palm Secondary School and aged between 16 and 19, are charged with one count of murder contrary to section 200 of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.

It is alleged that the four on December 4, 2020 in Lusaka, jointly and whilst acting together, killed Ryan Phiri.

In the last sitting, magistrate Chanda told the accused persons that the case had come up before her for explanation of the charge since it was a capital offence and was tried by the High Court.

After reading out the charge to them, Magistrate Chanda asked if they understood the charge and they all responded in the affirmative.

She then adjourned the matter to February 16, this year, for mention as the court awaited instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

And when the matter came up before her yesterday, the State informed the court that instructions to have the four accused persons committed to the High Court for trial were ready.

At this point, Magistrate Chanda committed the four to the High Court for trial and informed them that they would no longer be appearing before her as the case was only tried in the High Court.

The 17-year-old grade 12 pupil of Kabulonga Boys Secondary School is alleged to have died after he was attacked and beaten by a group of pupils from Twin Palm Secondary School.

According to a statement issued by Police Spokesperson Esther Katongo, the deceased, Ryan Phiri, was reported to have been in the company of three colleagues who ran away after being attacked.

She further stated that golf sticks were alleged to have been used in the act.

“Police in Lusaka recieved a report of murder from Frank Phiri aged 38 years old of Barlastone who reported on behalf of his deceased son male Ryan Phiri aged 17 years old that he was attacked and beaten by a group of pupils from Twin Palm Secondary School who later died at UTH at around 18:30 hours. The deceased was a grade 12 pupil at Kabulonga boys Secondary School. The deceased is reported to have been in the company of three colleagues who ran away after being attacked. Golf sticks are alleged to have been used in the act,” Katongo stated.

She stated that the incident occurred around 10:00 hours between Malata area and Twin Palm area.