ENOCK KADEMAUNGA writes
A POLICE officer has told the Lusaka magistrates’ court that during his investigations, he discovered that a 62-year-old retired teacher at Chitukuko School in Mtendere Township sexually abused two girls.
Boas Moonga, of Woodlands Police Station under the victim support unit (VSU) was testifying in a matter Cherry Munyinya is charged with defilement.
It is alleged that between March 1 and June 29 last year in Lusaka Munyinya had unlawful carnal knowledge of a 10-year-old girl.
In count two he is charged with indecent assault on a female.
Allegations are that on the same day Munyinya unlawfully and indecently assaulted a 9-year-old girl.
Moonga narrated that in July 2018, while on duty he discovered that in detention was Munyinya for the offence of defilement.
“Acting on the matter, I opened a docket and instituted investigations into the matter where it came to light that the victims where aged nine and 10 from Mtendere and Kalikiliki
“Upon interviewing the girls, it was revealed that between March and June 2018, the victims used to go to Munyinya’s house within the premises of Chitukuko School where he would sexually abuse them one after another and in return Munyinya would give them money and crayons,” he said.
Moonga said after interviewing Munyinya, who was already in custody, he arrested him for the offences because he did not give him a satisfactory answer.
He said under a warn-and-caution, Munyinya gave a free and voluntary statement denying the charge and was later released on police bond.
At this point the State closed its case and the matter was adjourned to September 3, 2019 for ruling on case or no case to answer.
In the last session, two grade three pupils testified that Munyinya tied their mouths and had sex with them.
The girls said the retired teacher threatened that they would die in their sleep if they told anyone.
As trial continued, grandmother of the nine-year-old girl told the court that according to her granddaughter, Munyinya gave her K2 to buy popcorns and told her to go to his place where he defiled her.
