A 35-year-old man of Samfya District in Luapula Province has been sentenced to 18 months imprisonment with hard labour for assault by the Chisamba Magistrate Court.
Benson Chanda, of Nsamba Village in Chief Nsama’s area, was convicted and sent to prison yesterday after he pleaded guilty before the Chisamba Magistrate Court.
The media reports that Chanda was charged with one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, contrary to Section 248 of the Penal Code, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
It is alleged that on October 28, 2025, Chanda assaulted Bwenge Lungo, causing him actual bodily harm.
According to the facts presented before court, at around 19:00 hours on the material day, the complainant was passing a house in Toba Village, Chipembi area, when the accused confronted him, insisting he did not allow anyone to pass through his yard. Chanda was squatting at Toba Village where he was doing gold mining activities in the area. It was reported that Chanda was armed with a stick when he approached the complainant.
The court heard that Chanda attacked Lungo, causing him to fall to the ground, before proceeding to beat him using his fists. The complainant sustained lacerations on the face, soft tissue injury to the left leg, a shoulder injury, and general body pains.
Neighbours later rushed to assist Lungo after the accused fled the scene. The victim was subsequently admitted to Liteta District Hospital for treatment following the assault.
Magistrate Litungi accepted Chanda’s guilty plea and convicted him accordingly.
During mitigation, Chanda pleaded for leniency, stating that he is married with two children and that his wife is expecting.
“The offence you committed carries a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment. However, I have taken note of the fact that you are a first offender who deserves leniency,” Magistrate Litungi said.
After considering the mitigation, Magistrate Litungi sentenced Chanda to 18 months imprisonment with hard labour, effective November 13, 2025.
