Rufunsa court closes defilement case involving toddler aged 3

By JOHN KOMBE

THE Rufunsa circuit magistrate court has discontinued a defilement case in which a 93-year-old defendant has died.

The court closed the case after Jacob Zulu produced the death certificate of the accused White Zulu, who was his father.

The witness submitted that his father, White Zulu who was accused of defiling his granddaughter died on June 17, 2022.

Magistrate Allan Kangwa ruled that the case be discontinued under section 88a of the criminal procedure code chapter 88 of the laws of Zambia. The magistrate later discharged the accused accordingly.

This is a matter in which the court had granted bail to White Zulu after his legal aid lawyer, Douglas Njolomba appealed to the court for time to study the case. The case was adjourned on May, 23 and the accused was to appear on July 11, 2022.

Facts of the matter are that on April 10, 2022 around 18:00 hours, White Zulu was left with his two grandchildren after his daughter, the mother went to fetch water.

 It was then that he is alleged to have defiled the three-year-old. Unfortunately, the 93 year old died at his home in Njombolo village on June 17, 2022 after an illness.

Meanwhile, Rufunsa District Commissioner, Richard Mabena has commended the government for introducing a circuit court in the district as cases used to drag before this.

Mr Mabena has also appealed to the Ministry of Justice to consider establishing a permanent magistrate court in the district, stating that it was developing and needed to have all the services befitting a district.

He said that in as much as he appreciates the introduction of a Circuit court in the district, it is important that a permanent court is established instead of waiting for a magistrate to come from Luangwa.