3 Family Members In Court For Assault

THREE members of the same family in Itezhi-tezhi have appeared in court for allegedly assaulting a 49-year-old man whose cattle grazed on their maize field.
Jimmy Mulaima, his wife Judith and their son Victor of New Ngoma in Chief Musungwa’s chiefdom were reportedly infuriated when they received a report that Kennedy Sichinda’s cattle had strayed into their maize field and eaten their crop.
The trio is charged with one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, which is contrary to Section 248 of the penal code Chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.
Particulars of the offence are that Jimmy Mulaima, Judith Mulaima and Victor Mulaima, jointly and whilst acting together on March 28, 2013 in Itezhi-tezhi, did assault Kennedy Sichinda occasioning him actual bodily harm.
The trio, who were arrested on March 28 and issued police bond on March 30, denied the charge when they appeared before magistrate Mubita Munalula on Tuesday.
Giving his testimony, Sichinda narrated that the trio beat him up when he went to their home to try to resolve the problem amicably.
He told the court that the trio also locked up the stray cattle in their kraal and when he arrived for discussions, he was beaten.
Sichinda testified that the Mulaimas took turns to beat him and incited their dogs to bite him. He sustained dog bites on his calf.
“The two men were punching me while Mrs Mulaima held me by the neck,” Mr Sichinda narrated.
After being beaten, Mr Sichinda said he rushed to the headman’s home who referred the matter to chief Musungwa since he had no jurisdiction to settle assault cases.
And the second witness Julius Chibuye said he was at Mr Sichinda’s place when a message was delivered that his cattle had strayed and eaten up maize.
“I rushed to the Mulaimas’ home and asked them to take me to the field so that I could check on the damage but they refused and asked me to call the owner of the cattle, which I did,” Mr Chibuye said.
He told the court that on arrival, he asked the trio to release his herd of cattle from their kraal as they were trying to resolve the matter but the trio refused and descended on him.
They started beating him until Chibuye managed to separate them. The matter has been adjourned to today for continued hearing.- ZANIS.