A 23-year-old resident of Makaravan West pleaded not guilty in the Katima Mulilo Circuit High Court on four charges associated with murder in the context of domestic violence.

Ibalela Musukubili is charged with the murder of his girlfriend, Beritha Doctor, in July 2019, as well as one count of obstructing and impeding the course of justice as well as assault.

Musukubili informed the court that he is innocent of killing his girlfriend and maintains he did not drag her body into a trench. He also stated that he did not engage in any assaults on the subsequent day, as he was taken into custody in the morning.

He further explained that he left the shared residence with his girlfriend on the morning of her death.

Upon returning, he says he did not find her at home. He recounted going to a local establishment called Kapana House in Makaravan West, where he discovered his girlfriend drinking beer with others.

After leaving together, they had a disagreement along the way. When he arrived at their house, she refused to accompany him. Musukubili opted to join his friend for a drink and only returned home the next morning, he says, only to find his girlfriend absent.

He noted that some of their belongings were missing, prompting him to visit his father's nearby residence. Upon returning from his father's house, he was apprehended by the police.

Musukubili refuted claims of assaulting the two complainants the following day, asserting he was not present as he had been arrested.

His trial resumes on Monday before Judge President Petrus Damased, and he was remanded in custody.

He is represented by Sunday Muhinda under the guidance of Legal Aid, with advocacy from Timo Itula.