A STATE witness’s testimony has detailed the GPS tracking history of a vehicle hired by a police officer in the Lusaka High Court, connecting the vehicle’s movements to the alleged murder scene of former Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) director Guntila Muleya.
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The testimony caused audible reactions among Muleya’s family present in the courtroom.
The witness, Opulent Trek Car Hire and Tours director Comfort Choolwe presented a Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking report for a maroon Toyota RAV4, registration number BAR 8049, hired by police officer Caleb Zulu on July 23, 2024.
Using a screen recording video, Choolwe meticulously showed Judge Vincent Siloka the vehicle’s movements throughout that day.
Choolwe testified that the vehicle was spotted parked in the Njolwe area for over 40 minutes, a location where Guntila Muleya was allegedly murdered.
The report specifically indicated the vehicle was parked at Emerald Park Housing Estate in Njolwe on three separate occasions.
Earlier in the day, the vehicle’s tracking data placed it at Mika Convention Centre around 18:46 hours, the location from which Muleya was allegedly abducted.
The car remained motionless there for approximately 10 minutes.
Choolwe’s detailed account traced the vehicle’s journey across Lusaka. It was first spotted at Acacia Avenue in Avondale at 07:48 hours.
Subsequent movements included Great East Road, Levy Mwanawasa Hospital, Chaina Golf Club (Kamloops), and the cross-junction of Nangwenya and Thabo Mbeki roads (Mass Media area) by 16:04 hours.
Further testimony revealed the vehicle’s presence along Burma Road, Libala, and later returning to Nangwenya Road, crossing Independence Avenue into Brentwood Drive and Leopard Hill Road by 16:52 hours. At 17:49 hours, it was seen at Melissa Supermarket in Northmead.
The car’s path continued through Rhodes Park, back to Nangwenya Road and Kamloops Road around 18:01 and 18:07 hours respectively.
It then proceeded to Munali roundabout and slowed near Levy Mwanawasa Hospital at 18:16, continuing on Great East Road and nearing the Silverest police checkpoint by 18:40 hours.
After its stint at Mika Convention Centre, the vehicle returned to Great East Road at 18:57 hours, proceeded to Puma in Chelstone around 19:10, and East Park Mall at 19:17 hours.
It was then spotted in Northmead at 19:21, before moving through Kabulonga, Hill Top Hospital, Lake Road, and Choppies Kabulonga.
The vehicle reached Crossroads at 19:37 hours, joining Leopard Hill Road.
Its most significant stop in Njolwe occurred around 19:45 hours, near Chifwema.
The GPS data showed the vehicle parked at Emerald Park Housing Estate in Njolwe at 20:27 hours for 7 minutes and 46 seconds, and again for 8 minutes and 58 seconds.
Choolwe stated the car remained parked in the area until 20:45 hours.
The tracking concluded at 23:58 hours with the vehicle still along Great East Road.
Following Choolwe’s extensive testimony, the defence team requested an adjournment to review the presented evidence in preparation for cross-examination.
The court adjourned the matter to July 23, 2025, for the continuation of the trial.
By Lucy Phiri
Kalemba July 22, 2025
