The Chisamba Magistrates’ Court has set October 30, 2026, for judgement in a case in which a 28-year-old man is accused of defiling an 11-year-old girl.
Resident Magistrate, Susan Magalashi, set the date after the defence concluded its case, with the accused maintaining his innocence.
Cornwell Nchimunya, of Chawama Compound in Chisamba is charged with one count of defilement, contrary to Section 138 (1) of the Penal Code.
It is alleged that between 2025 and July 18, 2026, on an unknown date in Chisamba, Nchimunya had unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under the age of 16.
In his defence, Nchimunya told the court that he was surprised when police officers apprehended him on July 24, 2026, while he was working at Lupapula’s Farm, where he was employed as a general worker.
He explained that he had been sent to collect a pig from Mr Sakala’s farm in the Mutoyo area and he was returning to his workplace when the incident happened.
“On 24 July, 2026, I was sent to pick a pig at Mr Sakala’s farm in the Mutoyo area. On my way back closer to the farm, I called Mr Kapapula to find out if there was a piggery where I could put the pig. I could hear some voices in the background but I didn’t know that it was the police,” he said.
Nchimunya told the court that an approaching police stopped and the officers informed him that they were looking for him.
“I was coming from the piggery towards my workplace when I saw a police vehicle parked. Later it started moving towards my direction and stopped after reaching where I was and the officers said they were looking for me,” he explained.
He also recalled that his workmate, Costa Sikabondo, once told him that a girl in the neighbourhood had been defiled, but did not identify the victim or the person responsible.
Sikabondo, 25, who testified as a defence witness, told the court that he only learnt about the case after Nchimunya had been taken into custody.
Meanwhile, a Clinical Officer, Derris Chiyesu, who testified at the request of the accused, identified the medical report he had signed and said his findings supported the allegation that the girl had been sexually abused, noting that her hymen was perforated.
Earlier, four prosecution witnesses, including the victim, testified and identified Nchimunya in court, while a signed medical report and an affidavit were also presented as evidence.
The court heard from the victim that the alleged abuse first occurred in a poultry house and on another occasion at the home of the accused’s relative.
Magistrate Magalashi adjourned the matter to October 30, 2026, for judgement, with Nchimunya remaining in custody.
Loading read count...