By Mutinta Mweemba

Three male sex offenders, one of whom abused a teenage boy in prison, will have plenty of time to regret their conduct after each was sentenced to decades in the gaol by the Chipata High Court.

ZANIS reports that Chipata High Court Judge Conceptor Zulu handed out the three jail terms in Tuesday’s session.

She sentenced Sydney Chilambwe to 40 years, Bright Zimba to 35 years and Nelson Mwanza, to 30 years imprisonments with hard for defilement and unnatural offences.

All the three had been convicted by a magistrate’s court and referred to the High Court for sentencing.

Ms Justice Zulu sentenced Chilambwe of Petauke district to 40 years imprisonment with hard labour for defilement.

Facts before the court were that Chilambwe, on May 25, 2017 had carnal knowledge of a minor aged below 16 contrary to the Laws of Zambia.

Chilambwe was committed to the High Court for sentencing after he was convicted by a magistrate’s court.
In mitigation, Chilambwe, through senior legal did counsel, John Phiri, said he was a first offender who was remorseful and regretted the offence.

Judge Zulu said she had considered what was said in mitigation, but that the offence that Chilambwe committed was a serious one and sentenced him to 40 years imprisonment with hard labour effective from the date of his arrest.

Zimba, of Lundazi district, was sentenced to 35 years imprisonment with hard labour for defilement.

Facts before the court were that, on February 8, 2017 in Lundazi unlawful carnal knowledge with a minor younger than 16-years-old.

Following trial, Zimba was convicted by the magistrate court and referred to the high court for sentencing.
In mitigation, Zimba through Senior Legal Aid Counsel John Phiri said he was a first offender who was remorseful and sorry for having committed the offence adding that he was asking for lenience.

In passing sentence, High Court Judge Conceptor Zulu said she had taken note of what was said in mitigation but that the offence that Zimba committed was a serious one considering that he had carnal knowledge of a person who was not mentally okay and of tender age.

Judge Zulu then sentenced him to 35 years imprisonment with hard labour effective the date of his arrest.

In another case, Ms Justice Zulu sentenced Mwanza of Chipata district  to 30 years imprisonment for unnatural offences.

Facts before the court were that Mwanza, on September, 22, last year, had unlawful canal knowledge of a boy against the order of nature contrary to the Laws of Zambia.

In mitigation, Mwanza said he was a first offender who was remorseful and sorry for having committed the offence.

He said he was a young man who could easily be rehabilitated and asked for leniency from the court.

In passing sentence, Judge Zulu said she heard Mwanza’s pleadings, but the offence had been convicted of was unacceptable, saying he had taken advantage of a vulnerable boy in prison.

She then sentenced him to 30 years imprisonment with hard labour effective the date of arrest.- ZANIS