Lusaka High Court Judge Chipola Bako has ordered accused Mary Kashilika to undergo medical examination to confirm her state of mind at the time she allegedly committed the offence before she can take plea to two counts of murder.
Kashilika, aged 26, is accused of killing her husband’s two young children, six year old Mathias Kamanga and two year old Tifiness Kamanga, on February 25th this year by allegedly throwing them into the Ngwerere River near Meanwood Kwamwena in Lusaka.
In a statement previously released by the Zambia Police, investigations indicated that the children went missing while their mother was doing household chores, with a fisherman allegedly witnessing them being thrown into the river before apprehending the suspect and handing her over to police.
Kashilika, a resident of Meanwood Kwamwena Phase Four, first appeared before the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court following her arrest, before the matter was committed to the Lusaka High Court after the Director of Public Prosecutions Gilbert Phiri certified it as a proper case for trial.
She appeared before High Court Judge Chipola Bako today to take plea to the two murder charges, but her lawyer made an application before court for her to first undergo a medical assessment.
The defence told the court that, after briefly interacting with Kashilika, it had formed a view that she should be medically examined to establish her state of mind at the time of the alleged offences and whether she is able to take plea and follow court proceedings.
Judge Bako granted the application under Section 17 of the Criminal Procedure Code, Chapter 88 of the Laws of Zambia, and ordered that Kashilika be taken to a medical facility.
The matter has since been adjourned pending the hospital report, after which she is expected to return before court to take plea.
By Josphat Hamakala
