By LUCY PHIRI
A WOMAN of Lusaka’s Misisi compound has been slapped with five years simple imprisonment for allegedly assaulting her eight-year-old son on his private parts with an iron bar after he stole a piece of chicken. Jessy Banda, 33 begged the court for mercy, saying she will never repeat what she did. She said she thought she was disciplining her son as every mother would do without realising that she was killing him.
However when the matter came up in the Lusaka magistrate court before magistrate Trevor Kasanda, Banda accepted the charge of assault. “I understand and accept the charge, yes I beat him using an iron bar and I regret,” she said. Facts are that on December 26, 2021 around 06:00 hours, Banda hit her son using a sharp object on his private parts and he sustained a deep cut on the scrotum.
A good Samaritan heard him crying and rushed to rescue him after which he was taken to the hospital. According to the Police statement, Banda went on the run after the incident. Police investigated the matter and apprehended her. In mitigation, Banda asked the court to forgive her that she has learnt her lesson.
“My son was supposed to go to school on Monday, and I have three other children I don’t know who will keep them if I go to prison,” Banda said. The magistrate said the offence she committed was serious and attracts a minimum sentence of five years so he had no option. Magistrate Kasanda therefore sentenced her to five years simple imprisonment.
