A PEASANT farmer yesterday walked to freedom after the Kitwe High Court acquitted him on a charge of murdering a 13-year-old-girl, whose body was chopped into two pieces.

A sombre mood characterised the packed courtroom when Harrison Chombaomba of Chiwempala in Chingola was set free.

Chombaomba was accused of murdering Abigail Namwinga between November 5 and November 11, 2011.

She was reported missing on November 5, the same year.

The body was found in Mutimpa area in a decomposed state and chopped into two pieces with the head wrapped in a chitenge material.

High Court Judge Isaac Kamwendo acquitted Chombaomba due to insufficient evidence.

Mr Justice Kamwendo said from the evidence before him, no one saw the accused person commit the offence.

"I find that the prosecution has not proved the case of murder and I hereby set him at liberty," said the Judge.

The girl's mother Florence Nambela, 43, had testified that on November 5, 2011 around 06:00 hours, her daughter, a grade nine pupil then, went to collect wild fruits, locally known as masuku in the bush.

She said the girl never returned and was found dead in the bush.

Another witness Kelvin Mwape said he saw Chombaomba with the girl before her death.

But Chombaomba denied murdering the girl and stated that he did not know her and did not know the people that testified against him.

He also said even though he was apprehended at a bar, he does not take any alcohol.