The Chisamba Magistrate Court has fined a 55-year-old headman K2,000 for assaulting his 29-year-old subject.
Headman Kapini, whose full name is Henry Mfula of Chipile-pile village in Chief Chamuka’s area, was convicted by Chisamba Resident Magistrate Susan Magalashi after being found guilty, despite pleading not guilty to the charge.
According to court records, the offense occurred on July 15, 2025, when the traditional leader assaulted Mambwe Kunda of the same area, causing actual bodily harm, contrary to the Laws of Zambia.
It was revealed in court that Mfula used a wooden stick during the assault, injuring Kunda in the mouth.
The attack resulted in the loss of one tooth and damage to two others, leading to the victim’s three-day admission at Chipembi Rural Health Centre.
The prosecution presented three witnesses, including a medical officer, whose report confirmed the extent of Kunda’s injuries.
Based on this evidence, Magistrate Magalashi ruled that Mfula had a case to answer and placed him on his defence.
In his defense, Mfula denied the charge and gave unsworn evidence. He was supported by his wife, Acken Mwale, 33, who testified as a defense witness.
Both claimed that on the day in question, they had collected seven bags of charcoal from Kunda’s kiln after paying him K500 for ten bags. They said they left Kunda in good health, although he was intoxicated at the time.
The duo added that earlier, they had sent the complainant to buy beer worth K24 and tobacco worth K2 while they packed the charcoal with the help of a third person, Kunda allegedly returned drunk and accused them of stealing his charcoal.
However, the court dismissed this version, noting that the accused had admitted during questioning to assaulting the complainant after learning that the charcoal had been sold to someone else.
The court found this admission, alongside the medical report and testimony from the arresting officer, sufficient to secure a conviction.
In her ruling, Magistrate Magalashi stated that the State had successfully proven its case and convicted Mfula under Section 248 of the Penal Code for assault.
In mitigation, Mfula pleaded for leniency, stating that he is married with five school-going children and also supports his elderly sister and more than 200 subjects in his jurisdiction.
“I have heard your mitigation and considered that you are a first-time offender. However, you had no right to assault your subject. You should have resolved the contract dispute through the local court,” Magistrate Magalashi said.
Mfula was sentenced to pay a fine of K2,000 immediately, or in default, serve nine months of simple imprisonment.
