The Lusaka High Court has sentenced a police officer to 20 years in imprisonment with hard labour for stabbing a 20-year-old man to death during a drinking spree.
Three other officers have however been acquitted.
The convict Febian Palata was jointly charged with Constables Lewis Mufwempa, James Mfula and Mulonda Mukelabai.
The officer killed Moses Theu in July this year after a quarrel over beer at a Night Club in Lilayi.
During trial the court heard that the deceased interrupted the police officers who were drinking and in reacting, one of the officers grabbed a bottle, smashed it to the ground and stabbed the victim on the left side of the neck and in the process inflicted a deep cut.
The victim later died at Chawama Hospital where he was admitted.
Palata and three others were appearing before High Court Judge Charles Kafunda who found them with a case to answer and put them on their defence where they denied the allegation.
However, in passing judgment, Judge Kafunda acquitted Constables Mufwempa, Mfula and Mukelabai saying the evidence does not show that they share Constable Palata’s Outrageous intentions.
He however convicted and sentenced Constable Palata to 20 years with hard labour.
