— 16-year-old girl found guilty of defamation

16-year-old girl found guilty of defamation

Itezhi Tezhi , October 20, 2014,ZANIS—-Itezhi Tezhi magistrate court has found a  16-year-old girl of Chibolya  compound in Itezhi Tezhi district in central  province guilty and convicted  her  of naming three elderly  persons as wizards.

The 16-year-old female juvenile stood charged with three counts of naming persons as wizards, an offence contrary to Cap 90 of the laws of Zambia.

In count one particulars of the offence alleges that the named juvenile on 2^nd May 2014 in Itezhi Tezhi at Itezhi district willfully named Namasiku Paulosi as a wizard who bewitched late Catherine Kazembe of Chibolya compound in Itezhi Tezhi.

In count two, particulars of the offence allege that on 2^nd May 2014, the accused juvenile willfully named George Namangolwa as a wizard who bewitched Anna Banda of Chibolya compound in Itezhi Tezhi.

In count three the particulars of the offence allege that the named female juvenile after naming Namangolwa moved to another house and again willfully named Shadreck Kazembe as a dangerous and   chief wizard who was to be feared by the community.

This occurred between 14:00 – 15:00 hours in Chibolya compound in Itezhi Tezhi district in central province.

The accused juvenile denied all the three charges.

However, after the trial the state prosecution led by Mwanza Chikankeni called five witnesses and after considering the evidence of the accused juvenile which was given on oath, Itezhi Tezhi magistrate Munalula Mubita found the girl guilty and convicted her of the subject offence.

Mr. Munalula said that all the three complainants testified that the juvenile offender’s action caused untold embarrassment as they were laughed at and mocked by so many people who were listening from the girl.

The magistrate has since adjourned the case to next week for social welfare report and mitigation as per procedure for handling cases of juvenile offenders.

Meanwhile a 15-year-old grade eight (8) pupil at Uphill Day Secondary School in Itezhi Tezhi district in central province has appeared in court for allegedly indecently assaulting a girl.

The named juvenile who was arrested on 24^th September 2014 is charged with one count of indecent assault on a female contrary to section 137 of the penal code, chapter 87 as read   together with Act Number 15 of 2005 of the laws of Zambia. 

Particulars of the offence allege that the named pupil on 20^th September   at Itezhi Tezhi in Itezhi Tezhi district of the republic of Zambia did indecently assault  named   13-year-old girl of Lilanda compound.

When asked by the court as to whether he understood the charge, the accused juvenile said he understood the charge very well and denied it.

The court has since adjourned the case to 4^th November for commencement of trial.