Court hears how 14-year-old girl was allegedly threatened with knife, defiled by biological father

Lusaka Magistrates’ Court has heard that the mother of a 14-year-old girl who was allegedly defiled by her biological father, a Zambia Air Force (ZAF) flight sergeant had requested a clinical officer to terminate the pregnancy, but that the medical personnel refused, citing risks to the child’s health.

According to testimony from police officer Emelda Muntemba, on January 8, 2025, she received a call from a ZAF officer reporting a suspected pregnancy of a 14-year-old girl.

The girl’s mother reported that her daughter was pregnant and accused her biological father, George Mulinganiza, of being responsible.

The police officer interviewed the girl, who confirmed the pregnancy and identified her father as the perpetrator.

A clinical officer from the ZAF clinic also confirmed that the girl had disclosed her father as the person responsible for the pregnancy.

But when interviewed by the officer, the accused denied the allegations and claimed he had no idea about the pregnancy.

He stated that he was drunk on the day in question and had no memory of the events.

The victim testified that her father had entered her room, threatened her with a knife, and had sex with her while her mother and siblings were asleep in August last year.

“My dad came into my room and he was drunk. He had a knife and he told me I should lay down. He said whatever I will say or do, don’t refuse.

If you refuse I will kill you. He took off my clothes and had sex with me. He told me I shouldn’t tell anyone and he left,” she said.

The court heard that the victim had been beaten, as evident from dark spots on her face, but she did not disclose who had beaten her.

The police officer investigating the case did not conduct any forensic examinations or gather physical evidence to support the charge of incest.

During cross-examination, the defense asked the victim about the color of the knife her father had used to threaten her.

She replied that it had a white handle.

The defense also asked if she was a virgin before the incident, but the prosecution objected, citing the Children’s Code Act, which prohibits questioning a child about their previous sexual history.

The court sustained the objection.

The police officer testified that she had visited the crime scene, the family’s home, and observed that the victim’s bedroom was adjacent to her parents’ bedroom, with only a thin curtain separating the two rooms.

The case has been adjourned to April 29, while the accused remains in custody, facing one count of incest.

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