Man, 45, defiles daughter’s friend

THE Kitwe Magistrate’s Court has convicted a 45-year-old man of Kitwe’s Wusakile township and committed him to the High Court for sentencing for allegedly defiling his daughter’s best friend, aged 14.
This was in a matter in which Peter Phiri was charged with one count of defilement. He pleaded not guilty.

Particulars of the offence is that on June, 8, this year in Kitwe, Phiri allegedly had unlawful canal knowledge of a girl under the age of 16.
Passing judgment on Tuesday, Kitwe senior resident magistrate Lenard Tembo said the girl did not give any reasons as to why she could falsely implicate Phiri.
“The offence which you have been convicted of carries a minimum sentence, which is beyond my jurisdiction. I, therefore, commit you to the High Court for sentencing and you will present your mitigation there,” Mr Tembo said.

Facts before the court is that on the material day, the girl went to visit her friend around 17:00 hours and that on her way back home around 19:00 hours, Phiri trailed her.
“He caught up with me and asked where I was going. He then held my hand and he took me to the centre road near my home and undressed me. He then unzipped his trousers and defiled me,” she said.

She further narrated that Phiri cautioned her against disclosing the matter to anyone.
The girl told the court that she confided to her mother on the incident after the latter become suspicious of her whereabouts.

Zambia Daily Mail