The Ndola Magistrates’ Court has issued a bench warrant against a woman who was indecently assaulted by five other women who accused her of sleeping with one of their husbands.

In this matter, it is alleged that on December 1, 2018, Precious Kapambwe 25 , Bridget chisha 21, Magrette Mwansa 25,Catherine Banda 29 and Maureen Mutale 29, jointly and while acting together did abduct the victim in order to put her in danger of being subjected to griviously bodily harm.

In count two, the five are charged with indecent assault.

However, the case has failed to take off because the complainant has gone missing.

When the matter came up on December 26, the state informed the court that the complainant had gone missing.

“I did receive the summons for the witnesses and only managed to find one witness, the father to the complainant who indicated that the Complainant left home and he is not aware of her whereabouts. However, I managed to inform the father to be before court, as at now, I am not in the position to know where the Complainant is. Some few days, I received a strange number who called on my line and I spoke to the Complainant who indicated to me that she is in Lusaka and that she was not willing to appear or attend court, [for] reasons best known by her self. She further indicated that she is in Lusaka and will never come back in Ndola,” the arresting officer, Francis Banda, told the court.

Ndola Chief Resident Magistrate John Mbuzi had adjourned the case but when the matter came up, Monday, the state informed the court that the complainant was still not before court.

“The accused are before court. The complainant is still at large. I have an application to make. Our application is that a bench warrant is issued against the complainant. Which should be returnable on 19 January 2019. On this day we will proceed with other witnesses who will be around. On this day if the complainant will not be around (father of complainant and arresting officer),” the state applied.

Magistrate Mbuzi granted the application.

It is alleged that On December 1,this year, Precious Kapambwe 25 , Bridget chisha 21, Magrette 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, the husband to Kapambwe.

Whilst at the drinking place, Kapambwe showed up in the company of her other 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.

In the video that went viral on social media, the women are seen holding the victim’s hands and legs while others are placing a bottle of Castle lager in the victim’s vagina.

The women are also heard warning her to stay away from married men as another captures the ordeal on her phone.