(Edward Mwanamuchele And Girlfriend. Photo by Naijaonpoint)
Edward Mwanamuchele, a 33-year-old married Zambian accountant, acknowledged in court that he hit Rhoda Munkombwe, his 25-year-old girlfriend, with an iron bar after finding obscene texts from other men on her phone.
Mwanamuchele told Justice Charles Kafunda during his testimony before the Chipata High Court on Wednesday that he was furious after reading three different chats that he claimed were from men whose connections had been saved under female names.
According to Mwanamuchele, one of the messages found on Rhoda’s phone contained romantic exchanges, another indicated that she had received money from another man, while a third pointed to plans for her to meet a different man at a lodge.
He said that when he questioned her about these findings, she told him the men were supporting her financially and made her feel appreciated.
He confessed to picking up an iron bar and hitting her on the legs out of anger, but maintained that he struck her on the head by accident when she lifted her arms to shield herself.
He further disclosed that the two of them had been drinking strong whiskey while preparing a meal together shortly before the attack.
Although he admitted assaulting her, he insisted he never intended to end her life, stating that he loved her and that they had been together for around a year and a half.
Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba disclosed that the incident took place in August 2025 at the accused’s home in Kanjala, Chipata.
Police revealed that Mwanamuchele had sent his wife away earlier after accusing her of misusing rent funds, and it was after this that he invited Rhoda over, an encounter that ended in her death.
The property owner reportedly raised the alarm after finding Rhoda’s lifeless body bearing serious head wounds, cuts on her legs, and bruises across her body.
Mwanamuchele was arrested shortly after and has been charged with murder.
The matter remains pending before Justice Charles Kafunda.