By CHARLES MUSONDA
A PUBLIC prosecutor yesterday shed tears in the Lusaka High Court as he recounted moments shortly before and after another public prosecutor Nsama Nsama Chipyoka was shot dead in a skirmish between UPND supporters and the police last December.
Mr. Nsama was shot dead on December 23, 2020 at a restaurant located next to Cabinet Office opposite the National Prosecutions Authority (NPA) headquarters.
Testifying in the case in which Fanwell Nyundu, a 25-year-old police officer is facing two counts of murdering Mr. Nsama and UPND supporter Joseph Kaunda, Mr Aaron Tuntuluka told Judge Joshua Banda that he was with his colleague shortly before he was shot dead.
Mr. Tuntuluka, 58, who is also in charge of criminal registry at NPA, said in the week Mr. Nsama was shot dead he was in charge of the computer-based system where criminal matters are put, meaning that he was working from the office.
He said after returning from court, he met Mr Nsama who asked for his help with indicting of cases but he asked the latter to give him a few minutes to attend to two witnesses he had come with from the magistrates’ court.
Mr. Nsama then told Mr. Tuntuluka that he would go to Lafe Restaurant for a cup of tea as the latter attended to the witnesses.
He said while he was at the reception, a few minutes later people who were around the building outside started complaining of itching eyes.
Mr. Tuntuluka said he then saw people running along Independence Avenue into the direction of State House and traffic reduced drastically.
He said upon seeing the fleeing people in UPND regalia he realised it was a day Mr Hakainde Hichilema was appearing at police headquarters for questioning.
He said later he saw a police truck block Mr. Hichilema’s convoy
Mr. Tuntuluka said later he heard gunshots and teargas canisters were also fired.
He said immediately after gunshots stopped, he heard someone shouting downstairs that Mr. Nsama had fainted at the restaurant.
He said when he went to the restaurant he found Mr. Nsama lying down with blood on his jacket and when he called out his name there was no response, after which he realised he was dead. Trial continues.
