37-Year-Old Businessman Faces Court Over Alleged Abuse Of Teenage Girl In His Care.

 

A 37-year-old businessman, Chomba Chimfwembe, has been arraigned before the Chipata Magistrates’ Court in Zambia over allegations that he sexually abused a 13-year-old girl in his care.

Chimfwembe, a resident of Chipata Motel Township, is facing two counts of defilement, which he denied when he appeared before Senior Resident Magistrate Destiny Kalusopa on Friday, August 21, 2026.

The prosecution alleged that the businessman had sexual intercourse with the girl on two separate occasions in April and June 2026 while his wife, Regina Tembo, was away in Lusaka after travelling there to give birth.

Tembo, 34, told the court that she became suspicious after returning to Chipata and noticing a change in the girl’s behaviour.

According to her testimony, the girl began locking her bedroom door at night, despite previously sharing the room with another child.

Tembo said she asked the girl if everything was alright after cautioning her about locking the door, prompting the child to disclose the alleged abuse.

“She opened up and told me my husband had defiled her,” Tembo told the court.

 She explained that before travelling to Lusaka, she had left the girl and another child in Katete with her elder sister. However, Chimfwembe later brought the two children back before Tembo returned to Chipata.

Tembo said she subsequently informed her elder sister so she could hear the allegations directly from the girl before notifying the child’s uncle.

During cross-examination, Tembo denied an allegation by the defence that she had fabricated the accusations in an attempt to gain control of her husband’s property if he was imprisoned.

Earlier, the 13-year-old victim had also testified before the court, alleging that Chimfwembe sexually abused her while his wife was away.

The case is ongoing.