Trial in a case where InkTech managing director Mathew Mohan and two brothers are charged with the murder of Cyclone Hardware director Sajid Itowala has been set for February 18 and 19 in the Lusaka High Court.

The last time the matter came up for continued trial, Lusaka High Court judge Gregory Phiri advised journalists to be factual in their reporting on court proceedings.

Judge Phiri, who said he did not bother much about media reports, urged journalists to consult court records whenever in doubt.

He said his policy was to leave the media alone and concentrate on what happens in court.

His comments followed a complaint by one of the defence lawyers Bonaventure Mutale that a news item on Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) television misrepresented facts.

In this matter, Mohan, Shabia Patel and Idris Patel are charged with the murder of Itowala contrary to Section 200 of the Penal Code CAP 87 of the Laws of Zambia.

Particulars of the offence allege that the trio on July 21, 2009 murdered Itowala.

During continued trial, a security guard from Armcor Security last week told the court that he and another person were bribed K20,000 to keep quiet about what they saw the day Itowala was abducted from house number one Ngulube Road in Lusaka's Woodlands residential area.

Michael Silungwe of Zingalume compound testified that he was on duty at House number 2320/3 on Manenekela Road which is next to number one, Ngulube Road Woodlands.

Silungwe further told the court that he was on August 12, 2009, summoned at central Police where about 12 Indian men were paraded and he identified Mohan as one of the men who were present when Sajid was being tied up.

Trial in the matter continues.

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