A 29-year-old Lusaka-based prophet has been committed to the High Court for sentencing after the magistrates’ court found him guilty of defilement.

This was in a matter where Francis Mulenga stood charged with defilement contrary to Section 148 subsection 1 of the Penal Code Cap 87 of the Laws of Zambia.

Facts before the court were that Mulenga on December 16, 2008 had carnal knowledge of a girl below the age of 16.

Taking plea before Lusaka magistrate David Simusamba, Mulenga pleaded not guilty to the charge and the prosecution called a number of witnesses.

Later, Mulenga was found with a case to answer and subsequently placed on his defence but only called one witness.

Passing judgment in the matter yesterday, magistrate Simusamba said he was satisfied with the prosecution evidence, which he said corroborated well.

In her evidence, the victim told the court that on the material day, while praying for her in Siavonga, Mulenga anointed her private parts and later defiled her.

She explained that she later missed her menstrual periods and that she went to the clinic where it was proved that she was pregnant.

Magistrate Simusamba said from the medical report presented before court, it was clear that the girl was carnally known.

On the defence evidence before him, magistrate Simusamba said it was difficult to substantiate it because the evidence was not corroborating.

He noted that Mulenga’s defence evidence was to the fact that when conducting the prayers, he never defiled the girl but merely anointed her private parts while his witness told the court that he never touched girls’ private parts but that he anointed their stomachs.

Magistrate Simusamba said the defence evidence was not corroborating and he was satisfied that the prosecution had established a case against him.

Magistrate Simusamba convicted Mulenga on the charge of defilement and sent him to the High Court for sentencing.