A 22-year-old woman accused of committing incest with her biological brother has told the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court that she thought her mother was lying when she testified in court that the two were siblings.

Meanwhile, judgement in the matter will be delivered on May 31, this year.

In this matter, Alivad Mumba, a 32-year-old painter, is charged with incest.

Particulars of the offence allege that between 2014 and October 6, 2018, in Lusaka, Mumba had carnal knowledge of Miriam Hara knowing she was his sister.

And in count two, Miriam Hara, is charged with offences against morality.

Particulars of the offence allege that between the same dates, Hara had carnal knowledge of Alivad Mumba whom to her knowledge is her brother.

Earlier this month, the duo’s mother, Enala Mwanza, told the court that she had eight children among them, Mumba and Hara.

She said the two had different fathers.

Mwanza said Mumba left the village in 1997 to live with his auntie whereas Hara left in 2012 to stay with her uncle.

She said ever since her children left, she only saw them when she was informed that they were apprehended by the police and charged with incest.

A Forensic Analyst at Police Headquarters also informed the court that a DNA test conducted on the duo, proved that they were 99.9 percent siblings.

And after the State closed its case, the court found the accused persons with a case to answer and immediately put them on their defence, to which Mumba testified that he didn’t know that Hara was his sister, adding that the two had lived together for eight years and had two children.

When the matter came up for continued defence before magistrate Faides Hamaundu, Tuesday, Hara testified that on a date she could not remember, she went to Chongwe clinic where she met Mumba who gave her some water upon her request.

Hara said when she asked if he was married, Mumba accepted saying he had four children but added that his wife “comes and goes” as they argued a lot.

She disclosed that at that point, they started communicating and later on Mumba proposed love to her to which she accepted.

Hara said some days later, she moved from her brother’s place in Chinyunyu, Chongwe district, to live with Mumba.

“I moved in with him and started taking care of his four children from his first wife. I also performed marital duties and later on in 2013, I got pregnant for Mumba and delivered the child in 2014 alone at home,” she said.

Hara told the court that she didn’t know that Mumba was her brother, adding that her mother never informed her that she had another sibling.

She further narrated that on May 8, 2018, her aunt visited her house and accused her of being married to her brother, after asking where she came from and personal information.

Hara testified that a crowd later gathered at her house who accused her of being a prostitute and threatened to kill her.

“A lady from the group had a knife and threatened to stab me. She spat on me and cursed me that I would die through suicide,” she said

Hara added that later on, police arrived at the house and picked Mumba while she was asked to stay home for her safety.

She said days later, she was also picked.

Hara claimed that as she was giving a statement to the police, they coerced her into accepting what she didn’t know.

“When giving my statement at the police station, I was told ‘iwe imbwa (you dog), you’re telling lies’, I was also made to sign on the statement not knowing what I was signing for. I told them only God knows,” she said.

When asked in cross examination by the State whether she still continued living with Mumba despite her auntie informing her that he was her brother, Hara said “I continued because I didn’t believe her”.

Further asked if she still didn’t believe that they were siblings when her mother confirmed their relationship in court, Hara said she didn’t believe, adding that she thinks her mother was just lying.

Asked if Mumba paid any dowry or damages, Hara responded in the negative.

The matter comes up on May 31, 2019, for judgment.