A 25 year old man of Mongu in the Western Province has been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment with hard labour by the Mongu High Court for defiling an eight year old girl.
High Court Judge Florence Lengalenga sentenced Joseph Kapelwa for defilement contrary to section 137(1) of the penal code amendment act 15 of 2005 cap 87 of the laws of Zambia.
Particulars of the offence are that on December 17 2008 Joseph Kapelwa of Mulambwa Compound in Mongu had unlawful carnal knowledge of minor.
According to the prosecution’s evidence, on the material day, the victim was home alone when the accused got hold of her and dragged her behind the house where he forced himself on her.
The girl was only rescued by a Wakung’uma Mulemwa who rushed to the scene after hearing the girl crying.
Upon arrival at the scene, Kapelwa was found on top of the minor and was only pulled off by Mulemwa.
It was at this point that the girl’s mother was called from the market where she was selling her merchandise and took the girl to the police where they were given a medical form to take to Lewanika General Hospital for examination and treatment.
And passing Judgment, Justice Lengalenga said the evidence from the girl corroborated with that of the medical report and that of Mulemwa who actually found the accused on top of the girl.
She further said the medical report showed that the child had bruises on her private parts and her hymen torn on the left side and an indication that the complainant was defiled by the accused who was also her relative.
Justice Lengalenga sentenced Joseph Kapelwa to 15 years imprisonment with hard labour with effect from the date of arrest.
ZANIS
Which is which, 25 years or 15 years. Ba LT please edit your work. Good job judge Lengalenga.