Pathologist Steve Kamiza has told the High Court of Malawi in Blantyre that a high-velocity bullet caused catastrophic brain injuries and instant death after medical doctor Victoria Bobe was shot last November at her residence.
The pathologist, who conducted a postmortem examination on November 18 last year, said the bullet entered through the back of Bobe’s head and left an approximately 18-centimetre wound on the front, with most brain tissue forced out.
He said examination of the back of the head revealed a bullet hole and traces of gunpowder.
“The mechanism of the death is the shattering of brain tissue leading to instant death,” said Kamiza, who ruled the death a homicide.
During cross-examination, defence lawyer Michael Goba Chipeta questioned whether the forensic evidence could link the seven accused persons to the shooting.
In his response, Kamiza said he did not witness the incident or see who fired the shot, explaining that his role was to establish the cause of death rather than identify the perpetrator.
Police ballistics expert Superintendent Lawrence Gondwe also testified that examination of a bullet recovered from the scene indicated that Bobe was shot at close range with ammunition consistent with a semi-automatic rifle.
However, he said during cross-examination that the firearm used in the shooting was not recovered.
Security guard Julius Mwanamanga, another State witness, testified that unknown people entered the guardroom where he was stationed on the night of November 17, grabbed him by the neck and ordered him not to shout before tying his hands and legs with strings.
The State also paraded assistant superintendent John Makolija, who led an identification exercise involving one of the accused Peter Mphepo at Limbe Police Station.
State prosecutor Abdul Limbe later told the court that the prosecution has concluded presenting its evidence after parading 10 witnesses and sought time to file written submissions.
Presiding Judge Ruth Chinangwa gave both sides 30 days to file written submissions and adjourned the case to November 30 2026, when she is expected to rule on whether the seven accused persons have a case to answer.
Bobe, 33, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital and a lecturer at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, was shot at her Chigumula Township residence in Blantyre in the presence of her husband.
