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A businessman has testified before the Lusaka High Court that Detective Constable Caleb Zulu, accused of murdering Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) Director General Guntila Muleya, hired a maroon Toyota RAV4 allegedly used in the abduction and returned it the day after the killing.
The witness, 26-year-old Saviour Musonda, managing director of Opulent Trek Car Hire in Woodlands, described how Zulu hired several vehicles from his company during July 2024.
Zulu is one of four men charged with the murder of Mr. Muleya, who was abducted and fatally shot on July 23, 2024.
The other accused are police officer M’Thusani Dokowe, his brother Samuel Dokowe, and accountant Francis Chipyoka.
Musonda, the 10th prosecution witness, told the court that on July 11, 2024, Zulu contacted him requesting a fast car. They met at Levy Junction, signed a formal contract, and Zulu hired the vehicle for two days.
Musonda said Zulu was accompanied by a woman at the time, and payment was made via mobile money.
Although the vehicle was due back on July 13, it was returned a day later on July 14, after Zulu requested an extension. Musonda noticed that the car’s road tax and insurance discs had been removed from the windscreen.
“Zulu explained he removed them because the vehicle was being used for police operations and the number plates had to be covered. He showed me where he hid the discs, and I put them back,” Musonda said.
Musonda recounted that on July 16, Zulu requested another vehicle, which was delivered by Musonda’s colleague, Chanda Kalale, since Zulu said he was busy and asked Kalale to collect it on his behalf.
However, Musonda admitted no contract was signed for this second hire, citing trust in Zulu based on previous dealings.
The hiring of vehicles continued with several extensions until July 24, when Zulu returned the RAV4 and asked for a smaller car.
The next day, he requested the same RAV4 again to travel to Nampundwe.
Musonda tried to convince Zulu the RAV4 was fit for the trip despite some noise from the spare tyre.
Kalale delivered the RAV4 to Zulu that evening, but the contract again remained unsigned.
On July 27, Zulu informed Musonda he had returned from Nampundwe and the vehicle could be collected.
However, on July 28, before Musonda could retrieve it, he learned via social media of Zulu’s arrest in connection with Muleya’s murder.
“I was in disbelief. I kept calling him, hoping it wasn’t true,” Musonda told the court. “But I also feared for my safety, considering the car was registered in my name and had been in his possession.”
Musonda said he contacted a business associate, Mukandawire, to help report the matter to police before they were summoned to give statements at Central Police Station.
He testified that the RAV4 was hired at K800 per day, and the smaller Toyota Axio at K850 per day.
He confirmed the RAV4, registration number BAR 8049, was now in police custody but would not start.
During a scene visit, the court asked about vehicle ownership. Musonda confirmed the car was registered in his personal name.
Under cross-examination by defence lawyer Mr. Lukangaba, Musonda admitted that Zulu never signed the second contract and that he never personally witnessed Zulu collecting the RAV4.
“You have no proof before court that Zulu was ever in the RAV4?” Lukangaba asked.
“No,” Musonda replied. “But I have mobile money transaction records showing he paid for the hire.”
Musonda also acknowledged making a phone call to senior police officer Madam Nyama to facilitate contact with investigating officers due to fears of being implicated.
The trial is ongoing.
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