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A three-year-old girl has been defiled in Kaputa, prompting the arrest of a 32-year-old man, while police in Chilubi are investigating a separate case in which a Grade 12 pupil allegedly committed suicide.
Northern Province Deputy Commanding Officer, Dr. Charles Mbita, said the toddler was allegedly sexually assaulted by Nelson Shape of Kalaba village.
He said the child sustained bruises on her private parts and general body pains.
According to police, the incident occurred around 17:00 hours when the girl walked from her mother’s house to her elder sister’s home within the same village. Mbita said the suspect allegedly followed her, forcibly picked her up and took her into a nearby bush where he had unlawful carnal knowledge of her.
“The victim started crying for help and fortunately some Zambia National Service soldiers on patrol were alerted by a member of the public,” he said. The soldiers rescued the child and apprehended the suspect before handing him over to police.
The girl’s mother later reported the matter, and a medical report form was issued. Police say investigations are continuing.
Mbita issued a warning to offenders, saying sexual offences attract custodial sentences of 20 to 45 years and would not be withdrawn at police stations in the province.
In a separate incident in Chilubi district, a 19-year-old Grade 12 pupil reportedly committed suicide after being reprimanded for being found with his girlfriend within the school premises at an inappropriate hour.
Police said the boy was discovered with the girl in the school hall around 01:00 hours. They were summoned by school authorities, but while the girl complied, the boy allegedly left for his parents’ home without permission.
He returned to school days later and was seen carrying a small black bag whose contents he did not disclose. On Saturday around 05:00 hours, two pupils fetching water found him hanging from a tree within the school grounds.
Relatives, including his elder brother Fidelis Chilando, were notified, and he later reported the matter to officers at Chaba Police Post.
Police inspected the body and found no bruises or injuries, saying no foul play was suspected. They believe the teenager may have taken his own life out of fear of further disciplinary action.
The body has since been handed over to the family for burial.
Mbita urged young people to seek help when in distress rather than resort to suicide, saying: “No matter what challenges one is facing, it is not advisable to take one’s own life as problems can be sorted out through dialogue.”WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
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