By LUCY PHIRI
A 96-YEAR-OLD woman who was raped was allowed to testify from a vehicle within the premises of the Lusaka Magistrate Courts as she has been unwell since the incident.
The victim testified before Magistrate Amy Masoja in a case in which Wilson Zulu, aged 30 is accused of raping her. He threatened to kill her if she revealed the ordeal to anyone.
Zulu is accused of rape contrary to Section 132 and 133 of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
It is alleged that Zulu also threatened to kill the victim if she screamed.
The victim said she was able to identify the man because she often asked him to fetch some water within the neighbourhood as he lives about 15 metres from her house.
It is alleged that Zulu on January 16, 2022 in Lusaka had carnal knowledge with a woman without her consent.
The victim said on the material day around 22 hours, she was in her house bathing and later went onto her bedroom to apply lotion on her body when she heard a small stone thrown on her roof. She asked who was throwing a stone but she did not get a response.
She narrated that she heard another stone thrown on the roof and later heard loud bang on the door forcing it open.
“Immediately the door opened, there was light in the room and I saw someone sneaking in. Asked who it was, there was no response and the person grabbed me and got a blanket and closed my mouth.
He also got a mosquito net and wrapped it around my head. He grabbed my hands and pulled my legs and pushed me on the bed and raped me,” she said.
She said she shouted for help but no one came to her aid and the man threatened to kill her if she screamed.
“The accused used to fetch water for me. After raping me, the he left the house and went to his house, I was scared to scream because I thought I would be killed. I then reported the matter to the vice chairperson of the community,” she narrated.
Trial continues.
