FORMER Family Health Trust (FHT) executive director Ben Zulu died at Mukobeko Maximum Security Correctional Facility where he was serving his death sentence. Let’s see what happened to him and Benny Zulu cause of death in detail.
What happened to Benny Zulu?
Mr. Zulu died at Mukobeko Maximum Prison in Kabwe when he suddenly collapsed and died. Ben Zulu, a former executive director of the Family Health Trust (FHT), passed away at the Mukobeko Maximum Security Correctional Facility, where he was serving a death sentence.
Benny Zulu cause of death
According to the official reports, it was clear that he passed away suddenly after getting collapsed. Zulu was given a death-by-hanging sentence by Lusaka High Court judge Wilfred Muma in May of last year for the 2019 slaying of 19-year-old Natasha Mkandawire.
Natasha was shot dead by Zulu and her body was dumped in a bush in the Mpandika region, Chief Mungule, Chibombo District after he had abducted her from her parents’ home in the Ngwerere neighborhood of Lusaka.
Judge Muma stated in his decision that he was satisfied with the prosecution’s ability to show beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused shot the victim.
Zulu was the last person to be seen with the deceased, according to Judge Muma, who also stated that a gun was discovered in his home after an investigation. He claimed that bloodstains were discovered on the seat of Zulu’s car.
The prisoner was then transferred to Mukubeko, where on Tuesday morning as he was about to take a shower, he passed out.
Authorities with the Zambia Correctional Service reported that attempts to revive him in the clinic inside the facility were unsuccessful.
Benny Zulu’s death sentence
FORMER Family Health Trust executive director Benny Zulu has been condemned to death by the Lusaka High Court for the murder of his 19-year-old lover Natasha Mkandawire.
Zulu murdered Mkandawire on July 9, 2019. In his judgment on Tuesday, High Court judge Wilfred Muma said there was no doubt that Zulu murdered Natasha as he failed to report the incident to the police immediately after it occurred but instead reported the following day in the evening after he burnt his shirt which was soiled with her blood.
Zulu attempted to frame a police officer who was Natasha’s other lover for the murder. The 62-year-old, who had turned himself into the police following the murder incident, claimed that he was attacked by unknown people in the Ngwerere area while he was having a good time with his deceased lover.
Zulu alleged that he parked his car by the roadside in the Ngwerere area and unknown people knocked on the vehicle window, then when he opened the door a scuffle ensued and Natasha was shot dead in the process. Natasha’s body was dumped in the bush on July 10 around 06:00 hours in the Mpandika area, chief Mungule in Chibombo district.
The deceased sustained a deep cut on the right side of her forehead which was the exit wound from the bullet. Zulu who was given an opportunity to prove his claims that his lover was shot by an unknown man in his defense, opted to remain silent.
Handing down the sentence, judge Muma said it was a very difficult position to distinguish the bullet wounds on the deceased’s body from the bullet holes on Zulu’s motor vehicle which had blood stains on the front seat.
He said a pistol was discovered in Zulu’s home during the search that was conducted by the police which indicated that Natasha was shot in his vehicle.
“I do not doubt in any way that the accused led the police to the scene where the body was found. The accused was with the deceased at the time of her death. The accused was the last person to have been with the deceased. In this matter, the evidence highlighted is so strong against the accused that there is no room for speculation,” judge Muma said.
“In any event, if the accused was attacked whilst he was with the deceased, why did he neglect to report to the police immediately after the incident occurred? All this demonstrates the guilty mind of the accused. It is no doubt the accused shot the deceased and went to dump the body to a place where he subsequently led the police.”
Judge Muma said he was satisfied that the prosecution team had proved the case beyond reasonable doubt that the accused shot his lover and was guilty of murder.
“I hereby sentence you to death by hanging until certified dead by a medical doctor. May God have mercy on your soul,” said judge Muma. Following judge Muma’s pronouncement, the composed Zulu bowed his head in acknowledgment of his punishment.
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Lavanya (Senior Editor) is a full-time content writer with almost 5 years of experience and a part-time teacher. She joined Medico Topics on the Breaking News trainee scheme in 2022 and now works on MedicoTopics.com. As a lifelong learner, She is constantly curious about learning new things and passionate about sharing knowledge with people through her writing and teaching.