A 33-year-old married Zambian accountant, Edward Mwanamuchele, has admitted in court that he struck his 25-year-old girlfriend, Rhoda Munkombwe, with an iron bar after discovering sexually explicit messages on her phone from other men.
Testifying before the Chipata High Court on Wednesday, Mwanamuchele told Justice Charles Kafunda that he became enraged after reading three separate conversations, which he claimed were from men whose contacts had been saved under female names.
According to him, one of the messages contained intimate exchanges, while another suggested Rhoda had received money from a different man. He also alleged that a third conversation involved plans to meet another man at a lodge.
Mwanamuchele said that when he confronted Rhoda, she told him the men were supporting her financially and made her feel valued.
He admitted grabbing an iron bar and striking her legs in anger but claimed he accidentally hit her head when she raised her arms to protect herself.
The accused further told the court that both of them had been drinking high-proof whiskey while cooking together before the incident. Despite the assault, he insisted he never intended to kill Rhoda, saying he loved her and that they had been in a relationship for about 18 months.
According to Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba, the incident occurred in August 2025 at Mwanamuchele’s residence in Kanjala, Chipata.
Police said Mwanamuchele had earlier sent his wife away after accusing her of misusing rent money before inviting Rhoda to his home, where the fatal incident occurred.
The landlord later alerted authorities after discovering Rhoda’s body with severe head injuries, cuts on her legs, and bruises on her body.
Mwanamuchele was subsequently arrested and charged with murder.
The case is still before Justice Charles Kafunda for hearing.
