The five Ndola women who inserted a bottle of beer in another woman’s vagina as punishment for allegedly sleeping with one of their husbands were this morning rearrested, minutes after being given a discharge by the Magistrates’ Court.
And Copperbelt Police Commissioner Charity Katanga said police wanted to add an additional charge of abduction, which carries a minimum sentence of 10 years with hard labour.
When the matter came up for trial, senior state prosecutor Micheal Mukololo made an application to have the matter withdrawn.
“The matter is coming up for trial. However, we have an application to make, to have the matter withdrawn under section 88 of the CPC. Reason is that there is fresh evidence. That is the application,” Mukololo said.
Ndola Principal resident magistrate, Obbister Musukwa then granted the application.
But immediately the five were discharged, they were rearrested right in the courtroom.
On December 1 this year, Precious Kapambwe 25 , Bridget Chisha 21, Margaret Mwansa 25, Catherine Banda 29 and Maureen Mutale 29 did assault the victim thereby occasioning her actual bodily harm.
It is alleged that on the material day, in Ndola’s New Mushili township, the victim was having drinks at Start Point bar at Masala main market with Harrison Mwanza, who is Kapambwe’s husband.
Whilst at the drinking place, Kapambwe showed up in the company of her four friends.
It is alleged that upon seeing his wife, Kapambwe’s husband run away, leaving the victim alone.
Kapambwe then picked the victim by force and took her to home where she was allegedly forced to undress.
And in the video, which went viral on social media, the women are seen holding the victim’s hands and legs while others are placing a bottle of Castle beer in the victim’s vagina.
The women are also heard warning her to stay away from married men as one of them captured the ordeal on her phone.
And according to police sources, the victim sustained bruises on her private parts and general body pains.
The five are currently detained in police custody and will appear in court soon.
And Copperbelt Police Commissioner Charity Katanga said police wanted to add an additional charge of abduction, which carries a minimum sentence of 10 years with hard labour.
“There is an additional charge that will be slapped on the five. That is abduction to slavery which is a serious offences. The offences is grave and could not leave it at that. Abduction with a view to slavery carries a minimum of 10 years,” said Katanga.
“It’s unfortunate that the women folk would do that and even take pictures. But they should know that they were exposing their private parts also. We are going to ensure that we secure a conviction. There is no room for withdrawal because we have taken interest in this matter. She was subjected to inhuman treatment. That was a public place [where] she was before being bundled and taken to a house, that is abduction with a view to slavery.”
