The Solwezi Magistrate Court has committed nine Kisasa residents, who are accused of murdering Helen Kamutumbe, a businesswoman of Chingola district, to the High Court for summary trial.
This follows the issuance of a committal certificate by the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in a matter where the nine are accused of killing Ms Kamutumbe aged 46, in Kisasa area in Kalumbila district on 20th March 2026.
When the matter came up for ruling on the application made by the accused persons to hold a preliminary inquiry in Solwezi yesterday, Solwezi Principal Resident Magistrate Mambwe Mukonde, was informed that the DPP had issued a committal certificate.
“Your honour, this matter was scheduled for ruling on the application for a preliminary inquiry, however we are in receipt of a committal certificate from the office of the DPP to have this matter committed to the high court,” the State Advocate said.
Magistrate Mukonde said no preliminary inquiry would be held as the matter will now proceed to the High Court where the accused persons will be tried as the charge they are facing cannot be tried by the subordinate court.
“Following the issuance of the committal certificate by the office of the DPP, there will be no preliminary inquiry held in this matter. This matter will now proceed to the High Court for summary trial. You will no longer appear in this court. All the nine accused persons will remain in custody until the session date is communicated,” Magistrate Mukonde said.
Prince Ntambu, Grace Njapau, Brian Bulaya, Alex Kaumba, Sharon Chishinga, Shadrick Kyanguba, Hendrix Mutondo, Jonathan Sawendeli and Paul Luwaya are accused of murdering Ms Kamutumbe aged 46, a business woman of Chingola in Kisasa area.
Ms Kamutumbe died in a mob attack after she was accused of mysteriously causing the disappearance of a young man’s private parts in March this year.
