AN internal auditor at the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) has told the Lusaka High Court that murdered IBA Director General Guntila Muleya disappeared and was later found dead on the eve of a crucial budget review meeting with accountant Francis Chipyoka, one of the four men charged with his murder.
Testifying before Judge Vincent Siloka, Internal Auditor Nkombo Chandi, 34, said the late Muleya had called for a detailed review of the Authority’s expenditure and budget performance shortly before his death.
She explained that on June 27, 2024, Muleya issued a directive to all departmental heads to review expenditure from January to June 2024 and plan for July to December, instructing that no new expenditure should be approved until the budget exercise was concluded.
The directive was circulated by email, with a reminder sent on July 4, and a budget review meeting set for July 23, 2024, at 08:00 hours.
During that meeting, Chandi said the Director General asked her to assist Chipyoka, who initially resisted the idea, “the DG told him to learn to accept help when it’s given and asked both of us to provide feedback by close of business that day,” she recounted.
She said after Chipyoka left the office, she continued working on the budget and later returned to the DG’s office around 16:45 hours to update him on her progress.
“Our meeting ended around 17:45. He provided input and asked that we meet again the next morning,” she said.
However, when she reported for work the following day, July 24, the secretary informed her that Muleya had not come in.
Later, during a management meeting, Director of Human Resource and Administration, Lushinga Kawila, told staff that the DG was missing.
“Later that day, the minister announced that Mr. Muleya had been found dead in Mikango,” she said, adding that she wished to tender the budget emails into evidence.
Chipyoka is jointly charged with Mthusani Dokowe, and Caleb Zulu , both police officers, systems engineer Samuel Dokowe, forthe murder of the IBA chief.
The trial continues.
Kalemba, October 30, 2025
