A THIRTY-SEVEN-YEAR-OLD Kabwe soldier, who allegedly forced two minors to have sex before forcing himself on the girl, has been found with a case to answer by the court.
Sergeant Patrick Mwale of Chindwin Barracks is said to have forced a 16-year-old-girl and a 19-year-old boy to have sex in his presence before he forced himself on the 16-year-old.
Kabwe principal resident magistrate John Mbuzi put Mwale on his defence after he was found with a case to answer, saying a prima facie case had been established which warranted him to defend himself.
This is a case in which Mwale is charged with indecent assault of the girl contrary to the laws of Zambia.
Resident magistrate Mbuzi put the accused on his defence when State prosecutor Aaron Kuyeli told the court that it was closing its case after calling six witnesses, among them, the 19-year-old boy who was allegedly forced to have sex with the girl.
The boy, Reagan Mpundu told the court that on the fateful day Mwale forced him to have sex three times with the girl and threatened to report them to the school head teacher and their parents if they refused.
The accused had apparently found the two chatting by the roadside before he shepherded them behind an anthill where he asked the young girl to undress and lie down.
Mpundu said after the girl had removed her clothes, Mwale confiscated them and threatened the two with being whipped if they did not oblige to his demand.
The soldier told Mpundu and the girl that as part of their punishment, they should have sex if they did not want to be reported to the school authorities or their parents.