By KASONDE KASONDE –
A Kabwe man and his sister have been found with a case to answer for allegedly engaging in an incestuous affair.
Kabwe Principal Resident Magistrate John Mbuzi has since put the two siblings Maureen Musonda and Aaron Musonda of Makululu Township on their defence.
Mr Mbuzi said the state prosecutor Jonathan Kazunga had gathered sufficient evidence to prove a case against the two.
Aaron is alleged to have had sex with his sister Maureen between December, 2013 and February 27, 2014 in Kabwe.
In the second count, Maureen in the same period, is alleged to have permitted Aaron to have sex with her.
The two were alleged to have shared a rented room for a few months as husband and wife.
A witness, who was the couple’s landlord, also testified of having seen the two sharing a bath.
Maureen, in her defence, denied that Aaron had sex with her but admitted she turned down her brother’s sexual advances.
Maureen said she never shared a house with Aaron in Makululu but was surprised that one night Aaron knocked on her door and when she opened it, he entered and immediately demanded sex.
After refusing to have sex with Aaron, a fight ensued between the two prompting neighbours to call police officers who rushed to the house.
Aaron, on his part, testified that he never met Maureen in Makululu and that the two did not engage in any quarrel.
Last week, Mr Mbuzi instituted a trial within trial to establish whether or not Aaron willingly admitted to the charge after he told the court that he was threatened by police officers to admit to having had sex with his sister, or face a beating.
Aaron testified that police officers threatened to beat him up if he did not admit the charge, adding that he only admitted for fear of being tortured.
During the trial within trial, arresting Officer Margret Ngoma of Kasanda Malombe police post told the court that on February 28, 2014 she took over the case of incest that was reported by the uncle of the two accused, Charles Musonda.
Ms Ngoma told the court that after interviewing Aaron, he admitted to having sex with Maureen as he did not know that she was his sister at the time.
She said Aaron was not intimidated and neither was he forced to admit the charge as he was claiming.
Mr Mbuzi ruled that according to the evidence before court and the testimony from the two state witnesses, it was clear that Aaron willingly admitted to the charge and the court would proceed to use his warn and caution statement as evidence in court.
He has since set October 20, 2014 as date for submissions from the state and November 4, 2014 for judgment in the case and Aaron has been remanded in custody while Maureen’s bail was been extended.