Father and Son Convicted for Defiling Minor
The Livingstone High Court has handed down convictions to a father and son for the reprehensible act of defiling a minor, the daughter and stepdaughter respectively.
Joseph Bwalya, aged 55, was sentenced to 30 years of imprisonment with hard labor, while his son, Ben Bwalya, received a 20-year sentence with hard labor.
The verdict, delivered on January 12th, 2024, follows a thorough trial and represents a stern stance against such heinous crimes.
The duo, residing on Macha Road, were found guilty of the egregious acts involving the abuse and exploitation of a 13-year-old minor.
Presiding over the case, the Honorable Judge Catherine Lombe Phiri carefully evaluated the evidence presented by the prosecution. The judgment, considered fair and impartial, reflects the gravity of the crimes committed by the convicted father and son.
The Choma Magistrates’ Court had previously found Joseph Bwalya and Ben Bwalya guilty of defilement, leading to their referral to the High Court for sentencing. The state successfully proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.
In the first count, Joseph, the stepfather to the victim, was charged with unlawfully engaging in carnal knowledge with a girl under the age of 16 between December 1st, 2022, and January 31st, 2023.
The second count involved Ben Bwalya, the stepbrother to the victim, who was accused of committing the same crime between July 1st and July 31st, 2022.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Rae Hamoonga, commended the collective efforts of police officers, legal professionals, and support staff involved in the investigation and prosecution of this case.
Their dedication and diligence in pursuit of justice have resulted in a successful conviction, sending a clear message that society will not tolerate such reprehensible actions.
