POLICE launch a man-hunt for a Kitwe businessman who allegedly been defiling his sister-in-law for 11 years

By ALEX NJOVU

POLICE in Kitwe have launched a man-hunt for a Kitwe businessman who is alleged to have been defiling his sister-in-law for 11 years.
The Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) last week called for the arrest of the businessman for allegedly exposing his sister-in-law to illicit sex since the named girl was 11.
Copperbelt police commanding officer Martin Malama said in an interview on Wednesday that police officers in Kitwe have widened their dragnet and assured members of the public that the businessman will soon be arrested.
“Our investigations over this case have reached an advanced stage and the man will soon be arrested so that he can answer charges of defilement and other vices. But we would like to appeal to members of the public to report cases directly to police stations instead of getting some of these things in the press,” he said.
Dr Malama assured that police officers will not rest until the alleged defiler is arrested.
He said it is unfortunate that the named businessman took advantage of the girl’s vulnerability to defile her repeatedly for nearly ten years.
Dr Malama commended the YWCA for its commitment to address challenges that women and children face in various communities in the country.
And YWCA Copperbelt provincial co-ordinator Jurita Mutale said senior police officers from the Victim Support Unity (VSU) and the command in Kitwe have shown interest in the case and they have since started investigating the matter.
“The Victim Support Unit co-ordinator and other police officers have been to my office and they got the information which they believe will help them in their investigations. We hope something tangible will come out of these investigations so that the businessman can face the wrath of the law,” she said.
Ms Mutale stressed that the future of the girl in question has been affected saying it is important that relevant authorities move in to arrest the man.
Ms Mutale revealed last week that the businessman recently went on rampage and caused extensive damage to the house of his in-laws in Ndeke Township after they reported him to police for allegedly impregnating their daughter.
The suspect has allegedly threatened to kill the victim on several occasions if she reported the matter to anyone.
Meanwhile KALONDE NYATI reports tha the Zambia Police records show that various cases of gender-based violence rose to nearly 8,500 from about 8,000 cases recorded the previous year.
This is an indication that more people are now reporting cases of gender-based violence unlike in the past when cases remained unreported.
Victim Support Unit National Co-ordinator Tresphord Kasale said 2,791 cases of assault occasioning actual bodily harm were recorded while 2419 defilement cases were reported.
Mr Kasale said about 1700 cases of neglecting to provide were recorded in the year under review.
Rape, abduction, human trafficking and child trafficking accounted for 254, 35, 13 and two cases, respectively.
He said indecent assault and depriving beneficiaries stood at 170 and 211, respectively while three cases of indecent assault on boys were also recorded.
“Of the total cases reported to the victim support unit, only 704 were convicted in court while 215 were acquitted,” he said.
Mr Kasale said 344 cases were withdrawn and about 1400 were still pending bringing the total number of the cases taken to court to 2,695.
He said he is happy that more people are breaking the silence by reporting cases of gender-based violence to the police.
Mr Kasale said awareness campaigns especially messages on child defilement have helped create awareness on the importance of reporting the cases to the relevant authorities.
He, however, said more needs to be done because some people are not reporting the cases.
“The communities need to break the silence by reporting and we are also committed to reach many places and assist the victims,” he said.