Nakonde man denies defilement charge, out on K15,000 bail

MULENGA MUSONDA writes A 28-YEAR-OLD general worker has been docked in the Nakonde Magistrates Court on allegations of Paedophilia on an 8 year old girl. In this matter Christopher Simumba of Nakonde is charged with Defilement of child contrary to the Laws of Zambia. It is alleged that Simumba unlawfully had carnal knowledge of a girl below the age of 16. The incident is said to have happened on 14 July 2020 in Nakonde district. Before the Court could read out the charge to him, Simumba was informed of the statutory Proviso which states that, in the event he felt the girl was above the age of 16 years he could raise it as part of his defence. When the charge was finally read to him by Resident Magistrate George Banda, the accused paedophile strongly disputed the allegations levelled against him. In order to secure Simumba’s attendance to Court, Magistrate Banda granted him K15,000 bail in his own recognisance with two working sureties from reputable organisations to be bound in the like sum and in their own recognisance. The matter was adjourned to August 12 for trial and the accused was remanded in custody only to be released upon fulfilment of bail conditions. The Sun