Murder accused says Police forced his confession

By GRACE CHAILE

THE Lusaka High Court has heard testimony from murder accused Harrison Chisenga, who told the court that he only confessed to killing 10-year-old Universal Kamushi because he was allegedly tortured by police officers during interrogation.
Chisenga, aged 27, of Chipata Compound, is charged with the gruesome murder of Universal, on March 24, 2023, in Lusaka West. Evidence before court shows the girl was sexually assaulted before being decapitated, with her head discovered a few metres from the scene.
High Court Judge Mwaka Mikalile has set December 19, 2025, as the date for judgement.
During his defence, Chisenga told the court that he had no involvement in the crime and insisted he confessed only under extreme duress.
He said police officers picked him up after identifying him at a bar and immediately began beating him before taking him to Westhood Police Station.
He described being taken repeatedly to the Criminal Investigation Office (CIO), where officers allegedly hung him on a swing, beat him with gun butts and fists, and threatened to kill him if he did not confess.
“They beat me like they were not beating a human being,” he said, claiming he eventually hallucinated and gave names of individuals he said he knew had no connection to the crime who included a witch doctor and workmate.
Chisenga alleged that officers from the Anti-Robbery squad famously known as C5 unit joined in the assault and showed him photos of dead suspects, telling him he would suffer the same fate if he did not cooperate.
He said he lost a tooth during the assaults and was eventually “led” by police to the crime scene and instructed to point at locations as if reenacting the murder.
Under cross-examination, State prosecutor Sipholiano Phiri challenged several parts of Chisenga’s account, including his movements on March 27, the day the girl went missing.
The prosecution put it to him that he escorted Universal after offering to accompany the children, a claim supported by testimony from two young witnesses.
Chisenga admitted he had previously told police he escorted the children but insisted this statement was made under torture.
He denied knowing the three girls prior to that day, though he admitted in court that they often called him “uncle.”
He also denied having sexual contact with the deceased or killing her to conceal any wrongdoing.
When asked about testimony from a neighbour who said she saw him walking with the children, Chisenga claimed he could not speak to the accuracy of statements made by minors or adults because “anyone can be told what to say in court.”