By NORMA SIAME –
A KASAMA High Court has sentenced a man who waylaid and defiled his niece at a well to 15 years in jail with hard labour.
Before Judge Isaac Chali was Peter Sikazwe who despite the court exercising leniency by handing down the minimum sentence for defilement, begun protesting that 15-years was too long in his native Mambwe language.
Mr Justice Chali however, also responded in Mambwe saying he had informed him of his right to appeal in the Supreme Court if he was not satisfied with the judgment.
Joshua Siame, a family member related to both the victim and Sikazwe had testified in court how he heard someone crying for help while working in his maize field in April last year.
When he went to investigate, he found that his half-dressed uncle was defiling his cousin who was pleading with Sikazwe to stop what he was doing to her.
Mr Siame had asked Sikazwe what he thought he was doing but he neither stopped his unlawful act nor answered back.
The village headman was informed including the victim’s parents.
Sikazwe later approached the girl’s parents to ask for forgiveness but was rebuffed.
Mr Justice Chali said such actions were those of a guilty mind hence the need for Sikazwe to be sent to jail.
