Lusaka Security guard denies defiling 9 school girls

A 47 year old security guard of Laufing Waters Lodge in Lusaka West has pleaded not guilty to nine counts of defilement contrary to section 138 chapter 87 as read together with Act 15 of 2005 of the laws of Zambia.

Before Magistrate Exhildah Chanda was Sylvester Zulu of Lusaka west who appeared in the magistrate court for plea yesterday.

After the charges were read out to him, Zulu said he understood the charge but said he was surprised as count one was read out to him.

And magistrate Chanda told Zulu that there was nothing to be surprised about and ordered that he should listen to the charges and answer accordingly.

In the fifth count, Zulu is charged with committing unnatural offences between August 2012 and October 23, 2012 and alleged to have had unlawful carnal knowledge of a minor against the order of nature.

He also pleaded not guilty to the charge of unnatural offences and swore that he did not commit it.

He is alleged to have committed the said offences on unknown dates but between August 2012 and October 22, 2012.

Zulu allegedly defiled the children aged between seven and 12 years after luring them into the guard room as they passed through the lodge premises to their homes.

He allegedly used biscuits and sweets to lure the children who are pupils at a named basic school in Lusaka west.

The matter has been adjourned to November 22, 2012 for mention and November 27, 2012 for commencement of trial.

Meanwhile, the same court has set November 21, 2012 for the production of previous records for Pasco Mwansa, who the court has established as a second offender charged with being in unlawful possession of 207.8 grams of marijuana contrary to the laws of Zambia.

Pasco Mwansa was found in possession of 160 balls of marijuana weighing 207.8 grams and loose vegetable matter wrapped in a black and white plastic bag.

Particulars of the offence are that on October 26, 2012, Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) officers received information in Chaisa compound of Lusaka that linked Mwansa to the offence.

When the officers approached him, he allegedly tried to escape at a place called Humanism Bar but they managed to apprehend him.

The consignment was then ceased and taken to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) where a specialist certified it as marijuana.

Magistrate Chanda said her hands were tied since the accused was a second offender.

She said she had no jurisdiction to sentence him and therefore he has to be referred to the High court for sentencing.

ZANIS