24 May 2021 :
A 33-year-old man of Chipili district who allegedly defiled and murdered his three-day old daughter was sentenced to death on 21 May 2021.
Appearing before High Court judge Mary Mulanda in the Mansa high court was Christopher Sunday Chipulu who was charged for two counts of murder and defilement of a child under the age of 16 years contrary to section 200 of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.
In the second count he is charged for defilement of a child contrary to section 138 clause 1 of the penal code Chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia as amended by Act number 15 of 2005 and Act number 2 of 2011.
Facts before the High Court were that on 13 June 2019, Chipulu allegedly murdered and willfully and unlawfully had carnal knowledge of a child under the age of 16 years in Chipili area of Chipili district.
Justice Mulanda said she was satisfied with the evidence that the state prosecutors brought forth before the court saying that the accused acted with malice in his actions.
“I find the accused guilty of murder and defilement of the Child under the age of 16 and I convict him accordingly as charged,” she said.
In the first count of Murder Justice Mulanda sentenced Chipulu to death by hanging until pronounced dead.
And during litigation, State Advocate Nasilele Lubasi said Chipulu is the first offender.
Meanwhile, from the defence counsel of Chipulu, Legal Aid Counsel Adinas Banda asked the court to exercise leniency on the accused.
“He is remorseful in his actions and has taken time to reflect on his misdeeds,” she said.
In passing judgement for the second count, Justice Mulanda said she had heard the litigation from the defence counsel but that the truth is that Chipulu defiled a three -day-old baby who is his child describing his action brutal and evil.
Justice Mulanda went on to sentence Chipulu to life imprisonment with hard labour starting from 13 June 2019, the day of his arrest.
“If you are not happy with the judgment, you can appeal to the higher court within 30 days,” she said to Chipulu.
