THE Lusaka Magistrates’ Court has found a 22-year-old University of Zambia (UNZA) student with a case to answer in a matter he is accused of indecently assaulting a female student at the same institution last year.

Meanwhile, the arresting officer in the matter testified that on November 30, 2019, the complainant told him that while she was asleep, a male person put his hands into her pants and started touching her vagina.

This is a matter in which Ernest Sikazwe, 22 of Lusaka, is charged with indecent assault on females.

It is alleged that on November 29, 2019, Sikazwe unlawfully indecently assaulted a female student at the same school.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge before Lusaka magistrate Nthandose Chabala.

And when the matter came up for continued trial on Friday, the arresting officer in the matter, Lewis Malambo, testified that on November 30, 2019, he received a report from a female student who told him that she was allegedly indecently assaulted by Sikazwe on November 29, 2019 around 04:00 hours in October Hostel.

He said the complainant narrated how while she was asleep, a male person put his hands into her pants and started touching her vagina.

Malambo said when she screened, the assailant ran into the toilet and locked himself.

“With help of her roommates and others, they followed him and managed to bring him to the police,” he said.

Malambo said Sikazwe was apprehended and taken to police but after he was interviewed, the accused claimed he just wanted to use the toilet and he was mistaken for a criminal.

The arresting officer added that he was not satisfied with Sikazwe’s explanation, especially that he was found at the female hostel around 04:00 hours.

Magistrate Chabala said considering the evidence before her, she found the accused with a case to answer and placed him on his defence.

The matter comes up on November 25, 2020 for defence.