Lusaka High Court Judge Mwape Bowa has sentenced businessman Blackford Phiri to life in prison for the murder of a five-year-old boy, a crime driven by bitterness after the child’s mother ended their romantic relationship.
Phiri, who was both the landlord and former lover of Memory Chilala,of Lusaka’s Obama area developed a close bond with her son, Justine Mvula Jr., who referred to him as “Daddy.”
However, when Chilala decided to end the relationship and move out, Phiri reacted with anger and resentment.
According to evidence on record, on September 10, 2019, Justine went missing after being left in the care of a neighbor while his mother went to sell samosas.
Witnesses later placed the boy at Phiri’s residence on the same day.
Suspicion grew when Chilala repeatedly questioned Phiri about her son’s whereabouts, only for him to deny seeing the child.
Days later, Justine’s body was discovered stuffed inside two empty 25kg Nyimba Milling mealie meal sacks, with a plastic bag tied around his head.
A forensic pathologist,Dr Adam Luchenga confirmed that the cause of death was manual strangulation, ruling out any natural causes.
The court also noted that similar sacks and polythene strings were found at Phiri’s house.
In delivering the verdict, Judge Bowa dismissed Phiri’s defence, stating that the evidence overwhelmingly pointed to his guilt.
The court found that Phiri’s bitterness over the breakup led him to take out his frustration on the innocent child.
“I am satisfied that the circumstances, taken cumulatively, form a chain so complete that there is no escape from the conclusion that, within all human probability, the crime was committed by the accused and no one else,” Judge Bowa stated.
Phiri was convicted of murder under Section 200 of the Penal Code and sentenced to life imprisonment.
