Court vows to deal with killers of elderly

Tue, 09 Jan 2018 10:59:07 +0000

By KETRA KALUNGA

THERE has been a noticeable increase in murder cases involving the elderly in Central Province and the courts will act decisively against convicted offenders.

Kabwe High Court Judge-in-Charge Justice Charles Zulu disclosed that more elderly people were being killed on suspicion that they were witches or wizards.

“The Judiciary has now taken a decisive sentencing policy to respond commensurately to murder cases committed under the sole belief that the murdered was a witch or wizard,” said Mr Justice Zulu.

Mr Justice Zulu was speaking during the ceremonial opening of criminal sessions for the Kabwe High Court yesterday.

He noted that such killings are usually proceeded by despicable brutality, torture and inhuman treatment.

Justice Zulu said regrettably, in many instances, the perpetrators are those suspected to be caregivers to the elderly members in society.

He said the Judiciary in Central Province has recorded 71 cases of murder, 86 defilement, 16 aggravated robbery, 10 arson and 30 cases of stock theft for the year 2017.

Mr Justice Zulu said of the 71 murders cases, 59 were disposed of with 12 pending to be disposed this year and 9 of the 16 aggravated robbery were disposed of.

Mr Justice Zulu said the province recorded 115 cases of causing death by dangerous driving involving over 115 deaths and all were disposed of.

Judge Zulu also expressed concern over the increasing number of sexual offenses which he said were unlikely to fade.

Justice Zulu said despite increasing the imprisonment period to deter would-be offenders, the numbers have not diminished.

He also observed that cases of causing death by dangerous driving along the Great North Road continues to remain a matter of serious concern.

Justice Zulu said a comparison between murder cases and cases of death occasioned through traffic offences clearly showed that causing death by dangerous driving tops the list.