A 38-YEAR-OLD machine operator of Lusaka’s John Laing area has been dragged to the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court for allegedly gazing at a 12-year-old girl while she was taking a bath.

Brian Mando is facing a charge of indecently insulting or annoying females, contrary to the laws of Zambia.

Particulars of the offence allege that on January 18, 2021, in Lusaka, Mando for purposes of and for motives of indecent curiosity or gazing or observing a 12-year-old girl while in a state of undress, was found in the bathroom of the victim’s mother, which was adjacent to her dwelling house.

Allegations in this matter are that on the material day, the victim, a pupil, was at home within John Laing township.

Around 16:00 hours, the 12-year-old went to take a bath in a bathroom which is outside the house but whilst bathing, she heard a knock at the door, which prompted her to ask who was knocking.

In response, the accused responded that “it is Lucia’s father.”

The girl asked the accused what he wanted, but he asked her not to shout and to keep quiet as he would give her a K20.

The man immediately pushed the door, but as he wanted to enter, the victim shouted for help while calling her mother.

Her mother went running towards the bathroom, but immediately the girl shouted for help, Mando fled the scene.

Her mother followed the accused whilst the girl was wrapping herself with a wrapper.

A few minutes later, her mother returned and asked her what was going on and she narrated to her that the accused wanted to defile her, but he did not do anything to her after she quickly shouted for help.

The matter has been allocated to Magistrate Faides Hamaundu.