State responds to murder accused, Miti’s allegations of rape, says she attempted suicide in police custody

The State has revealed that Meya Masumba Miti, who is jointly charged with another suspect for the murder of her husband, former Ministry of Agriculture official Dr. Francisco Miti, attempted to take her own life while in police custody.

This disclosure accompanies grave allegations by Meya, who claims she was raped by a police officer while handcuffed at Chilanga Police Station.

Read more: Woman accused of killing husband alleges rape, torture by police; requests identification parade to name suspect

The revelations were submitted to the High Court in response to Meya’s habeas corpus application, which challenged the prolonged delay in her appearance before court.

In a report to the court, the Office of the Divisional Legal Officer explained the circumstances surrounding her detention.

Meya was arrested on September 27, 2024, at her residence in the Mount Makulu Kugona Nikuzingwa area of Chilanga.

Due to the lack of a female holding cell at Chilanga Police Station, she was detained at Musamba Police Post and formally charged with murder the following day.

On October 12, 2024, she was transferred to Linda Police Post after allegedly attempting suicide while in custody at Musamba.

Later, on November 22, she was moved to Lusaka Central Police Station, in line with standard procedures for suspects facing capital charges.

The State attributed the delay in her court appearance to the time required for forensic analysis of key evidence.

Items collected from the crime scene—including a pick head believed to be the murder weapon, bloodstained bedsheets, and a mosquito net—were submitted to the Levy Mwanawasa forensic laboratory on September 30, 2024.

The DNA results were only made available on April 24, 2025.

Investigating officer Sara Mwale stated that the DNA evidence was critical to the prosecution’s case and had to be secured before presenting Meya in court.

She eventually appeared before a magistrate on May 16, 2025, and was committed to the High Court on May 19.

The police also addressed concerns raised during a visit by a human rights rapporteur to Zambia, citing overcrowding and poor sanitation as reasons for transferring Meya and other detainees to different facilities.

Despite the gravity of the allegations and the procedural delays, police assured the court of their continued commitment to justice, fairness, and strict adherence to the law.

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