Chibombo defiler jailed 30 years

A man in Chibombo who repeatedly defiled his 12-year-old stepdaughter while her mother was away has been sentenced to 30 years imprisonment with hard labour.
Kabwe High Court Judge Elita Mwikisa convicted and sentenced Emmanuel Zulu, 47, to 30 years in prison saying it was saddening that he had destroyed the future of a girl he was supposed to protect.
This is in a case in which Zulu, of Kapekete village, on August 5, 2012 allegedly defiled the girl while her mother was away.
During trial, the State called five witnesses, among them the girl who testified that Zulu defiled her on five different occasions and threatened to beat her up if she revealed that to anyone.
The girl’s mother also testified that on her return from an errand, she found her daughter crying and when she asked she narrated how her stepfather had carnal knowledge of her.
The matter was reported to the Police.
Zulu maintained his innocence in his defence and told the court that the girl had injured herself on a bicycle.
In her ruling, Ms Justice Mwikisa said it was unfortunate that cases of defilement had continued in Zambia while the future of girls was being destroyed.
She said she was sending Zulu to prison to make him reflect on his action so that by the time he comes out, he would be a better person.
Earlier in mitigation, Zulu asked forgiveness, saying he has six children under his care and if he was sent to jail they would suffer.