Misozi Chanthunya gets life sentence

The High Court in Zomba has slapped Misozi Chanthunya with a life sentence for the murder of his Zimbabwean girlfriend, Linda Gasa, who was brutally killed in 2010.

Judge Ruth Chinangwa also handed Chanthunya a two year jail term for the second count of hindering burial of a dead body.

She also sentenced the murder convict to another two years for perjury and all the sentences will run concurrently.

In mitigation, the convict’s lawyer, Michael Goba Chipeta, had prayed for a 10 year jail term, arguing that Chanthunya is a first offender.

However state lead lawyer, Steven Kayuni, urged the court to give Chanthunya life sentence.

Delivering the verdict, Chinangwa pointed out that the offence was serious and needed a stiff sentence to condemn such acts in the country.

She also played down the defenses earlier submission asking for a lenient sentence, arguing that Chanthunya’s actions to kill Gasa and then bury her body, portrayed character of a ‘beast’ and that such actions should not be entertained.

“On the plea for Chanthunya to be sent to Chichiri Prison instead of Zomba Central Prison where he is currently being kept, I find no valid justification in this request. There is no need why he should be treated different in opting where he should serve his sentence,” Chinangwa said.

In an interview later, Chipeta maintained his earlier stance that they will appeal the verdict, arguing that judgement was determined using some facts which were never rendered in court as evidence.

“This is perhaps a perfect example of an unfair trial. The state filed an affidavit when actually the direction of the court was for the parties to send authorities, meaning that submissions were already made. When I applied to respond to the states’ submission, the court did not give us that opportunity,” Chipeta said.

Kayuni said they were contented with the sentence.

“We are happy that the court has given the sentence which we prayed for. And this is what we really wanted to happen,” Kayuni said.

The case has seen two judges presiding over after Chief Resident Magistrate Viva Nyimba committed the case to the High Court.

It was earlier being handled by Judge Redson Kapindu before Judge Chinangwa took over.