Girlfriend tells court how she identified slain CBU student
THE girlfriend of slain Copperbelt University (CBU) medical student Fred Kapuku has told the Ndola High Court how she identified his dismembered remains following his alleged murder.
Salome Fube, 26, a final-year medical student at CBU, broke down the sequence of events leading to the discovery of Kapuku’s remains as she testified before Ndola High Court Judge-in-Charge Dancewell Bowa, according to the Zambia Daily Mail.
Ms Fube told the court that she identified Kapuku’s remains through the clothes he was wearing and distinctive features on his body.
She also identified the black Toyota Mark X that Kapuku was driving on the day he went missing.
Ms Fube said on August 16, 2025, at about 13:00 hours, Kapuku visited her at her house before leaving for a meeting at Michael Chilufya Sata School of Medicine.
She told the court that Kapuku was the president of a CBU association and had gone to attend a meeting at the institution.
According to Ms Fube, Kapuku returned at about 18:00 hours and the two had supper together.
She said at around 19:00 hours, Kapuku left the house again, telling her that he had something to sort out and would return.
That, Ms Fube told the court, was the last time she saw him alive.
Kapuku, a sixth-year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery student and president of the Copperbelt University Medical Students Association (COBUMEDSA), was later reported missing.
His death shocked the university community after parts of his body were discovered in different locations on the Copperbelt.
His severed head was reportedly recovered in the Hillcrest area of Ndola, while other body parts were found in the Zamtan area of Kitwe.
Kapuku’s colleagues were among those who identified the severed head.
The Copperbelt University subsequently described his death as a devastating loss to the institution and the nation.
In a statement issued by Acting Registrar Jerous Ngulube, the university said Kapuku would be remembered for his humility, leadership qualities and commitment to his studies.
The university extended condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and the School of Medicine fraternity, while assuring the public that it was working with law enforcement agencies to ensure that those responsible were brought to justice.
CBU also appealed to members of the public with information that could assist investigations to come forward.
The institution announced that a candlelight service would be held at the School of Medicine, with details to be communicated later.
Kapuku had previously contested for the CBU presidency and was regarded by his colleagues as an active student leader.