A chilling case from Katete has sent shockwaves across Zambia as a 21-year-old youth who killed his albino best friend in a plot to sell his body parts for K1 billion has been convicted and now faces a bleak future behind bars.

Paul Banda, a resident of Nkhungulu Two Village in Chieftainess Kawaza's area, will likely spend the remainder of his life in jail after the Chipata High Court found him guilty of the gruesome murder of his friend, Cheleka Banda. The case was reported by Breeze FM and has drawn national attention for its tragic and sinister details.

The two young men were close friends, bonded by years of camaraderie. However, greed and superstition led Paul down a dark path, ending in the betrayal of his closest companion. Cheleka, who had albinism, became the target of Paul’s deadly scheme, as he sought to profit from selling his friend's hair and body parts for a staggering K1 billion. Such acts are often driven by a belief in some communities that body parts of individuals with albinism possess magical or mystical properties, a dangerous myth that has fueled horrific crimes like this one.

The heinous act unfolded in Chieftainess Kawaza's area, where Paul lured Cheleka into a trap. It remains unclear whether the victim had any suspicion of his friend's intentions, but their close relationship suggests he likely trusted Paul completely. That trust was cruelly betrayed when Paul took his life in cold blood, motivated by the promise of unimaginable wealth.

This afternoon, High Court Judge Dorcas Malama delivered the verdict, convicting Paul Banda of murder. In her judgment, Judge Malama highlighted the calculated and inhumane nature of the crime, which has left Cheleka’s family and the entire community reeling with grief. The judge reserved sentencing for tomorrow, but legal experts anticipate a life sentence given the severity of the crime and the public outcry it has caused.

In a moment of apparent remorse after the verdict, Paul apologised to Cheleka’s grieving family and the court, acknowledging the enormity of his actions. However, his apology may offer little solace to the family, who have lost a beloved son and friend under such horrifying circumstances.

Cheleka’s murder is a grim reminder of the dangers faced by people with albinism, who are often targeted due to widespread ignorance and harmful cultural beliefs. Human rights activists have long called for greater protection for individuals with albinism, particularly in rural areas where such myths are more pervasive.

The case also underscores the need for communities to reject harmful superstitions and embrace education and awareness campaigns to prevent similar tragedies. While Paul Banda's conviction provides a measure of justice for Cheleka and his family, it also serves as a stark warning about the consequences of allowing greed and ignorance to prevail over humanity and morality.

As the nation awaits the final sentencing, the Banda family and the community in Nkhungulu Two Village remain in mourning, grappling with the loss of a young life that was cut short by betrayal and violence. Meanwhile, Paul Banda’s life has taken an irreversible turn, with the prospect of spending decades, if not the rest of his days, behind bars performing grueling manual labor as part of his punishment.

This case stands as a tragic tale of how trust, friendship, and life itself can be destroyed by the lure of money and misguided beliefs. It is a call for Zambians to come together to protect vulnerable individuals and work toward eradicating harmful practices and myths that lead to such senseless acts of violence.