• Daswell Sichilongo and Sister Emma Chakupalesa hug after reconciling.

By ANDREW PHIRI –
THE NON-Governmental Organisation Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has welcomed the spirit of reconciliation between a Catholic nun, Emma Chakupalesa who was recently battered by Daswell Sichilongo.
NGOCC Southern and Western provinces liaison officer Faith Simukoko, however, said NGOCC strongly condemned the act of violence that happened between the two parties.
Ms Simukoko said NGOCC had serious concerns at the rate of withdrawal of gender based violence (GBV) cases in the country by victims, a thing she said was compromising the fight and efforts against GBV.
“As NGOCC, we appreciate the spirit of reconciliation between Ms Chakupalesa and Mr Sichilongo, however we condemn the violence that happened between the two and this raises serious concerns for us at the rate which GBV cases are being withdrawn by victims,” Ms Simukoko said.
She said the perpetrators of GBV were likely to get involved in violence because they were left scot free without the going through the due process of the law to take its course.
Ms Simukoko said her organization was engaging in talks with the police to see how best GBV cases could be handled by allowing the due process of the law to reach the best conclusion.
“Just as much as we know that it’s a victims right to withdraw cases, its important for victims to let the due process of the law to take its full course. The withdrawal of cases by victims is major hinderers for NGOs fight against GBV,” Ms Simukoko said.
Mr Sichilongo,53, of Roma Girls flat number 02 on July 19,2014 beat up Sister Chakupalesa in full view of a Muvi television crew after she locked up his house in her capacity as Acting School head teacher for failing to pay rentals.
When the matter came up for commencement of trial on Monday after four adjournments, Sr Chakupalesa told the court that she was un-conditionally withdrawing the case and that she had forgiven the GBV perpetuator Mr Sichilongo.