A 26-year-old Lusaka woman has been dragged to court for murdering her two children aged three and 10 by poisoning them.

Lweni Chali, of Fumba area, is charged with two counts of murder.

In the first count, it is alleged that Chali on August 10, 2018, in Lusaka district did murder one Carol Chali.

And in the second count, it is alleged that Chali on August 11, 2018 in Lusaka did murder one Aless Chali.

It is alleged that Chali took her three children to a river where she gave them poison, however one child survived.

She was supposed to appear before magistrate Nsunge Chanda, Tuesday, for explanation of the charge but was not present as she was allegedly undergoing medical examinations at Chainama Mental Hospital.

The matter comes up on September 20, 2018 for explanation of the charge.

And a 35-year-old teacher of Lusaka’s Marrapodi area has denied defiling a girl under the age of 16 in the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court.

Particulars of the offence are that Micheal Phiri, between January 1, 2017 and August 30, 2017, unlawfully had carnal knowledge of a girl under the age of 16.

When Phiri appeared before magistrate Alice Walusiku, Tuesday, he said he understood the charge and pleaded not guilty.

This was after he was informed by magistrate Walusiku that he had a defence if at the time of having sex with the girl, he thought she was above the age of 16 years.

“When you are charged with defilement, you have a defence if at the time of having sex with the said girl, you thought or saw that she was of or above the age of 16. You should have that at the back of your mind as you proceed with the case,” said magistrate Walusiku.

Matter adjourned to October 22, 2018 at 12:00 hours for trial.

Meanwhile, a 51 year-old pastor of Lusaka’s Chadlleign area has pleaded not guilty to defiling a 15 year-old girl in the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court.

The accused, Davies Banda has since been granted K10, 000 bail in his own recognizance with two working sureties in the like sum.

In this matter, Banda is alleged to have defiled the child at his orphanage.

The accused, also a contractor, runs God at Work Orphanage as an administrator.