Defilement accused community teacher seeks legal services

MULENGA MUSONDA writes A 37-YEAR-OLD Community teacher who is appearing in the Choma Fast Track and User Friendly Court for Gender based Violence on allegations of molesting his 13-year-old pupil applied to the Court to have the matter adjourned so he could engage legal representation. Bias Siabuzwima,  a teacher at Siachoobe Community School is charged with defilement contrary to section 138(1) as amended […]

Defilement accused community teacher seeks legal services
MULENGA MUSONDA writes A 37-YEAR-OLD Community teacher who is appearing in the Choma Fast Track and User Friendly Court for Gender based Violence on allegations of molesting his 13-year-old pupil applied to the Court to have the matter adjourned so he could engage legal representation. Bias Siabuzwima,  a teacher at Siachoobe Community School is charged with defilement contrary to section 138(1) as amended by Act No.15 of 2005 and Act No.2 of 2011 of the Penal Code of Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia. It is alleged that Siabuzwima unlawfully had carnal knowledge of a girl below the age of 16. The incident is alleged to have occurred on   April 20,  2020 in ChomaDistrict of Southern Province. Siabuzwima was apprehended on   May 4, 2020 and remained in lawful custody till Friday, May 22,  2020 when he was granted bail after pleading not guilty to the offence. When the matter came up for trial before Senior Resident Magistrate Idah Mupemo, the accused applied that the he be given at least 3 weeks to seek legal representation. The State who had lined up 3 witnesses including the Prosecutrix to testify did not object to the application as the accused person is entitled to legal representation . Magistrate Mupemo granted the application on condition that no other adjournment will be tolerated in future as the offence is a GBV and supposed to be fast tracked. The matter was adjourned to   June 17,  2020 . Siabuzwima’s bail was extended. The Sun