THREE former Sable Farms employees in Mkushi have been sentenced to death for shooting dead a foreman whom they accused of being behind their dismissal from work.

Lusaka High Court Judge Mugeni Mulenga sitting in Kabwe sent the three to the gallows.

Jericks Mupeta, 35, a pivot operator, John Chibuye, 34, a security guard and another worker Robert Ngosa, 34, all of Mkushi were convicted of murder.

The three on May 30, 2009 murdered Estone Ngosa.

The prosecution team called 10 witnesses including the deceased's widow Violet, who testified that on the fateful night she heard a knock and when she opened the door she saw a firearm but did not see the person who was carrying it.

Later she heard two gunshots and saw her husband lying in a pool of blood.

Another witness Susan Tembo narrated that on the day that the deceased was being buried, she saw two boys going to a sweet potato field and that later she was informed that they had discovered a firearm buried in the field.

She informed the brother of the deceased Levy Musonda about the discovery.

Arresting officer Felix Mukuwa testified that during his investigations he learnt that the accused persons had bitter differences with the late Ngosa.

The three confessed that they decided to kill Ngosa because he was responsible for their dismissal from work.

A ballistic expert Stephen Mvula testified that he conducted tests on the rifle which was in good condition and that it was the type restricted to defence and security forces.

The three, who had all denied the charge, were found with a case to answer and put on their defence.

In her ruling the judge said the prosecution team had proved its case beyond any reasonable doubt and sentenced the three to hang by the neck until pronounced dead.