CHIPATA - A 33-year-old accountant accused of murdering his girlfriend has apologised to her family during his defence before the Chipata High Court, saying he never intended to take her life.
Edward Mwanamuchele is accused of murdering his 25-year-old girlfriend, Rhoda Munkombwe, during a sleepover at his residence in August 2025.
During the trial before High Court Judge Charles Kafunda, Mr. Mwanamuchele admitted striking Ms. Munkombwe with an iron bar after allegedly discovering explicit messages on her mobile phone.
He told the court that he struck her more than three times after she allegedly told him that the messages were from men who were financially supporting her.
Despite admitting to the assault, Mr. Mwanamuchele maintained that he did not intend to kill her.
Addressing the victim's family, he apologised for his actions and expressed regret.
"I'm apologising because that was not my intention. I'm deeply sorry. I committed the worst possible crime," he told the court.
Mr. Mwanamuchele also told the court that he and the deceased had been consuming alcohol before the incident, including whiskey and other alcoholic beverages.
He said that after the incident, he was unable to locate the keys to his house until his landlord used a spare key to gain entry and found Ms. Munkombwe lying injured in the living room.
According to his testimony, the landlord called an ambulance and alerted the police. Ms. Munkombwe was taken to the hospital, while he remained behind to change clothes before intending to follow her.
However, he said police officers apprehended him as he was leaving the premises after his landlord identified him as the person who had assaulted the deceased.
Mr. Mwanamuchele further told the court that he later led police officers back to the house and showed them the iron bar allegedly used during the assault.
The matter remains before the High Court for determination.
Source: Zambia Daily Mail