POLICE in Kitwe’s Chimwemwe township yesterday arrested and charge a 49-year-old man after he was caught masturbating in an unfinished building.
Quick action by the police saved the man identified as Aaron Chileshe after the mob that caught him in the early hours of yesterday accused him of performing rituals through masturbation in other people’s unfinished buildings.
Chileshe was taken to Chimwemwe police station, where he was arrested and charged with public nuisance and tresspassing.
“We see this man every day coming to these unfinished buildings, sometimes as early as 06:00 hours. We know him, he is a very respected man with a wife and kids but his conduct has really shocked us. He has been seen several times masturbating in those unfinished buildings and when he is done, that’s when he leaves for work. We alerted some men and today (yesterday) they followed him and found him in the act and this is what incensed the people. We feel it’s a ritual because he is married, with children,” one of the women traders Marjorie Masiye said.
Chileshe tolf police that he was in the habit of masturbating outside his home but denied being involved in any ritual.
“I have this habit and I do it outside in hidden places, where there is a shelter and that’s the way it is. It was a mistake, I went to that building and I ask for your forgiveness but people have exaggerated the story; it has nothing to do with rituals,” Chileshe said.
A huge crowd surrounded the police station in Chimwemwe to catch a glimpse of Chileshe.
Police sources said Chileshe had been formally arrested and charged with public nuisance and tresspass.