The Lusaka Magistrate’s Court has discontinued the matter in which a woman and her niece were charged with idle and disorderly conduct allegedly in connection with how she responded to a police officer over the former’s dressing. Tears of joy rolled down the cheeks of Miriam Mwanza, 27, and her 16-year-old niece after magistrate Nsunge Chanda discontinued the case.

Mwanza of Kamanga township was charged with idle and disorderly conduct allegedly committed on December 22 last year.
The suspects denied the charge. When the matter came up yesterday for trial, the prosecution told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions has instructed that the case be discontinued.

Before making the order, magistrate Chanda counselled Mwanza on the need to behave in an honourable manner and to nurture her niece. “You [Mwanza)] are old, meaning you are supposed to help the child [niece],” magistrate Chanda said. She said Mwanza and her niece are women who are expected to conduct themselves with integrity and respect.

“You shouldn’t find yourself in prison or police cells,” magistrate Chanda said and discontinued the matter as court attendants clapped in appreciation. The woman and her niece could not hold back their tears as their relatives were heard thanking God for the verdict. Non-Governmental Organisation Coordinating Council [NGOCC] former board chairperson Sera Longwe, who was in court, hugged and consoled the weeping duo.
Ms Mwanza told journalists that she was happy that the matter was discontinued.

She explained that she was detained after questioning police why they queried her niece over a purported miniskirt she was wearing, when other women with a similar dress were ignored. Ms Mwanza said police allegedly questioned her niece’s dress as the duo walked past Kamanga Police Station.

“When I tried to respond, the police told me to shut up and they apprehended us,” Ms Mwanza said.
Her niece said “I thank God [for the verdict]”. And Ms Longwe said she is happy with the verdict because “there was no case here, but we will follow up this matter”.

She wished the court had given more details so that the public can know what really led to the arrest of the woman and her niece. “You cannot arrest someone over a miniskirt because it is not indecent, we do not have a dress code in Zambia,” Ms Longwe said.

Meanwhile, after the duo was set free, the prosecution told the court that they [duo] have to remain in custody because they are facing another charge in a different court. They are allegedly facing a malicious damage to property charge.