Kitwe man caged for raping girl, 17

Passing the sentence, Mrs Justice Phiri said the court has a duty to impose stiff punishment on rapists to protect women’s rights and freedom of movement.
“Women should freely move on our streets without the fear of being waylaid and raped. Although you are a first offender, I note that this was a gang-rape and your fugitive friends left permanent scars on the victim,” Mrs Justice Phiri said.
She said she is satisfied that the lower court was on firm ground when it convicted Kampamba because he was caught red-handed committing the offence.
Kampamba, on September 2 last year in Kitwe, jointly and whilst acting together with others unknown, had unlawful carnal knowledge of a woman without her consent.
During trial in the lower court, the 17-year-old girl testified that on the fateful day, she was escorting a friend when she met three men on the way who lifted her and took her to Chingola Road Cemetery.
The girl narrated that one of her assailants stripped her naked, tore her underwear and raped her.
She testified that the boys took turns to rape her and a passer-by came to her rescue when she screamed for help.
The girl told the court that Kampamba was apprehended while raping her.
She testified that she did not allow either Kampamba or his fugitive friends to have carnal knowledge of her.
And Simon Chiteta told the court that he found Kampamba, whom he knew before the incident, on top of the girl.
Mr Chiteta said he initially struggled to apprehend Kampamba, who almost overpowered him but passers-by helped him.

 Zambia Daily Mail