ONE of the suspects in the gruesome murder of a Lusaka taxi driver is mentally disordered, a Chainama hospital medical report has revealed.

According to medical certificates issued by two medical doctors, Maybin Kapokola is mentally disordered and had previously been admitted to the hospital.

Kapokola, 29, of Simavulundu Village in Sinazeze, is jointly facing a murder charge and aggravated robbery with Chrispine Siakoonde, 25, of John Laing Township in Lusaka, Peter Sikangila, 42, and Jimmy Siajanika, 37 from Muntu Wamasiku Village in Sinazongwe.

The taxi driver, Joseph Simfukwe, was beheaded and his private parts removed in one of the most gruesome murders recorded among taxi drivers.

The medical report issued by psychiatric consultant Patrick Msoni dated February 8, 2013 and addressed to the clerk of subordinate courts, indicates that Kapokola had a major psychotic disorder and had been on treatment.

Dr Msoni stated: "This is to confirm that Maybin Kapokola was admitted at Chainama East on February 2, 2013. This is further to confirm that Maybin Kapokola has been under the care of this hospital since May 20, 2010 and was last reviewed on August 16, 2012."

He added: "Simply stating whether or not Maybin Kapokola is mentally disordered may not guide the court adequately."

Dr Msoni issued the report in the aftermath of Lusaka magistrate Nsunge Chanda ordering for an urgent mental examination on Kapokola after he exhibited strange behaviour when he appeared for mention.

When he appeared in court yesterday for the explanation of the charges, Kapokola maintained his calmness throughout the session though kept on roving his eyes.

Kapokola and his co-accused told the magistrate that they understood the charges they were facing.

This was after the court informed them that the counts they were facing were capital offences which were only triable before High Court Kapokola and Siakoonde are in count one charged with aggravated robbery involving a Toyota Corolla registration number ADB 1655 valued at KR25,000 from Joseph Simfukwe.

The vehicle belongs to Gift Milambo and the accused are alleged to have used violence at the time they committed the offence.

In count two, the four have been charged with murdering Mr Simfukwe between December 22 and 29 last year.

The magistrate adjourned the matter to February 21, for mention, while waiting for instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to have their case committed to the High Court.