By SYLVIA Mweetwa –
THE Kabwe High Court has sentenced a 46-year-old farmer to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour for defilement.
When the case came up for judgment, Kabwe High Court Judge-in-charge Mwiinde Siavwapa learnt that the convict was not present as the prison authorities had no record.
Tobias Ziyani of Kapiri Mposhi defiled a neighbour’s daughter on March 9, 2012 at his home.
During the trial, the girl aged 13, testified that Ziyani’s wife had asked that she spends a night at her home to keep another young girl company, while she was away.
She testified that while asleep, Ziyani dragged her to another room and covered her mouth with a blanket before defiling her.
She said the following morning she told her mother and the case was reported to the Police.
The accused maintained his innocence and denied ever defiling the girl.
The court later convicted the accused and committed him to the High Court for sentencing on November 27, 2012.
But when the case came up for sentencing on Thursday, Justice Siavwapa was informed that the convict was not before court.
The court sentenced him to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour and directed the Police and prison officers to ensure that the convict was arrested and taken to prison.
