‘Suspected defiler tried to kill self’

By ETAMBUYU SANG’ANDU –
A KITWE magistrate’s court has heard how a 50-year-old man attempted to commit suicide after his nine-year-old step daughter revealed how he had defiled her on several occasions.
Agness Mwamba, 36, a police officer, said she had information that Jackson Mwape of CP09-05 Chipata Township attempted to commit suicide by hanging himself after the girl revealed her ordeal to the mother.
Ms Mwamba was testifying in a case in which Mwape is accused of defiling his step daughter between November 1 and 30 last year.
She told the court that she received a report on December 7, last year from the girl’s mother, that her daughter was allegedly defiled by the step father.
Ms Mwamba told the court that she interviewed the girl who informed her about what her step father had done to her on several occasions and noticed that her private parts were enlarged.
The court heard that it was at that point that the girl’s mother informed the police officer that she had taken long to report the matter because the accused had attempted to commit suicide after the girl revealed what he had been doing to her.
Ms Mwamba told the court that Mwape was later called for questioning and admitted having sex with the girl once.
She said Mwape denied having had carnal knowledge with the girl on several occasions and insisted that it was only once.
Ms Mwamba said Mwape was apprehended and detained at Nkana East police station.
The matter was adjourned to July 15, for continued hearing.

Times of Zambia