The Lusaka Magistrates’ Court has convicted Zambia Association of Musicians president Njoya Tembo’s wife Brenda for brutalizing her 13-year-old niece with a cooking stick.

And magistrate Greenwell Malumani yesterday remanded Brenda in custody following her conviction and reserved sentencing for today.

This is in a matter in which Brenda Mukalula Tembo was facing a charge of assault on a child.

She assaulted her double orphaned niece for using a pressing iron she was told not to be using when ironing her school uniform.

Facts before the court were that Brenda got angry after her niece burnt her uniform with her iron, making it dirty.

Brenda then beat her niece four times with a cooking stick until it was broken.

She also slapped her on her face as Njoya moved in to separate the two.

Brenda then plugged the iron in a socket which her niece claimed was not working and told her to touch it whilst it was hot but the girl resisted.

According to a medical doctor, the juvenile sustained bruises on her hands as a result of the blunt force trauma and said injuries could take about four weeks to heal.

When the matter came up for judgement, magistrate Malumani said there was overwhelming evidence of assault.

“The prosecution has proved the guilt of the accussed beyond any shadow of doubt,” ruled Malumani.

The court said evidence was overwhelming that the convict brutalized the vulnerable child for using her pressing iron.

“I find her guilty of assault on a child charge of child assault and convict her accordingly,”
said magistrate Malumani.

He said the victim’s class teacher, a Mundia from Woodlands B Primary School, had no interest to serve and as such, her evidence against Brenda was binding.

He commended Mundia for her role and that of the pupils by taking the matter to the police.

Magistrate Malumani dismissed Brenda’s defense testimony saying it was an afterthought.

Meanwhile, magistrate Malumani also said he could not entertain the evidence given by then Woodlands B Primary School headteacher Patricia Lyambi as she took a casual approach towards the girl’s welfare.

He said Lyambai, who is now Tunduya primary school headteacher, is not fit to be a headteacher as she does not take interest in GBV issues concerning school children.

In mitigation, Brenda asked for leniency as she was remorseful for her actions urging the court to take note that she even cried when she was asked to take oath.

Magistate malumani reserved sentencing for today.