Court jails two men 45 years each for defiling girl, own daughter

Two men, aged 67 and 38, were each sentenced to 45 years imprisonment with hard labour for sexually abusing two girls, including the biological daughter of the latter.

Lusaka High Court Judge Susan Wanjelani presided over the cases and stressed the need to remove the offenders from society to protect vulnerable victims.

Michael Njobvu, 67, a general worker unlawfully had carnal knowledge of a a girl under the age of 16 in April, 2024.

He again sexually assaulted her on June 5, 2024.

The victim’s mother discovered the abuse after a neighbour alerted her that her daughter was inside Njobvu’s house. Upon entering, she found Njobvu with his manhood erect and the child hiding behind him.

The child was immediately taken to the landlord’s house for safety.

Judge Wanjelani noted that Njobvu, known as “Bashikulu” (grandfather), a position of trust and respect, had committed a grave offence against an innocent child.

Taking into account mitigation, he was sentenced to 45 years imprisonment with hard labour, effective from the date he was taken into custody.

Kennedy Chundwe, 38, a garden boy from Roma North Township between November 2022 and August 11, 2023, sexually abused his biological daughter, then aged 14, in Lusaka.

The victim’s aunt testified that on August 12, 2023, she was called to Lusaka after Chundwe was found in the child’s bedroom attempting to sleep with her.

The abuse reportedly began in November 2022. The aunt helped take the victim to the hospital.

The victim’s mother testified that on August 11, 2023, she found Chundwe in the daughter’s bedroom late at night.

He threatened to beat her if she questioned the child.

The victim disclosed she was beaten by her father after refusing sex, resulting in a wound on her hand.

Judge Wanjelani acknowledged Chundwe’s claim of remorse and first-time offence status but highlighted that the betrayal of a father’s duty to protect his child was an aggravating factor.

She sentenced Chundwe to 45 years imprisonment with hard labour, effective from October 4, 2023.

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