38-Year-old businessman of George township in Lusaka has been taken to court for allegedly repeatedly molesting his seven-year-old son resulting in the child having skin infections on his genitals. Victor Mukuka, a divorcee, is facing an unnatural offence charge. Between January and May 10 this year, Mukuka allegedly had carnal knowledge of his son against the order of nature.

When the matter came up before the Lusaka Magistrate’s Court yesterday, it was adjourned to October 31 this year because the magistrate handling the matter was unwell. Evidence before the court is that Mukuka used to sneak into the child’s bedroom at night to molest him. The alleged act happened on several occasions and the child used to scream during the ordeal.

The boy, who is currently housed at an orphanage, is expected to testify against his father when the matter comes up for trial. Meanwhile, the Lusaka Magistrate’s Court yesterday refused to enter a guilty plea by a woman accused of beating prominent tomato trader and Tuzini Farms Limited founder Maria Zaloumis. Ms Zaloumis has taken 29-year-old Mubaba Phiri, who is believed to be her close friend, to court to answer to an assault charge.

On September 15 this year, Phiri, a businesswoman of Salama Park in Lusaka, allegedly assaulted Ms Zaloumis and occasioned her actual bodily harm. When the matter came up yesterday before magistrate Alice Walusiku, Phiri pleaded guilty. “I assaulted her,” Phiri said in a low tone. Asked where exactly she assaulted Ms Zaloumis, Phiri had challenges to explain. “I cannot really say where I assaulted her because we were fighting and she said that I had slapped her,” Phiri said.

It was at this point that magistrate Walusiku entered a ‘not guilty’ plea. But Phiri, while raising her hand, insisted that she was guilty, a plea the court did not agree with. “The court has recorded a ‘not guilty’ plea because you gave an explanation [that you were fighting]. The court wants to come and hear what transpired [and led to the alleged assault],” magistrate Walusiku said as Phiri insisted that she is guilty. The matter will come up on October 29 this year for trial. Phiri, who was in the company of family and friends, is on bond.