Zambia: Northern Province Police Commanding Officer Lucky Munkondya has extended his concern over the increasing cases of defiling. The police officer shared that the Luwingu District has been recording increased cases of this crime.
The commanding officer made these remarks in light of the two defilement cases that happened over the weekend in Mumba village. The incidents were reported in Senior Chieftainess Chungu’s Chiefdom of Lupososhi District and Masala village in Chief Chipalo of Luwingu District.
The Northern Province Police Commanding Officer Lucky Munkondya talked to the media about the issue with the media. She told the media that defilement cases are increasing in the province particularly in Luwingu district.
She also talked about the ways in which the people of the country can prevent the people of the country. According to her, the scourge can only be eliminated if authorities at the district level embark on an awareness programme.
The aim of the organization is to sensitise the community about the dangers of having sexual intercourse with children under the age of 16. The authorities are working hard to ensure the criminals are dissuaded from committing the act.
Munkondya expressed that it is disheartening to note that men have continued with such actions against the victims. This is even though the authorities continuously conduct massive sensitisation against the scourge.
The Northern Province Police Commanding Officer noted that it is important for the perpetrators to be informed about the harsh punishment of the crime. She informed the media that the punishment for the crime is a minimum of 15 years imprisonment with hard labour.
Commanding Officer Munkondya has urged the Ministry of Education and the District Administration to team up for the sensitization exercise. They are tasked with finding time to explain to children that if they experience something similar, they must report the incident.
She said it is also imperative for the community to learn the importance of reporting sexual abuse cases, adding that failure to report such scourge puts the abused girl at risk.