Africa-Press – Zambia. A Grade 10 pupil at a secondary school in Lusaka was raped by an unknown man who offered her a lift to take her to school. The victim, only rescued by concerned members of the public, was left with injuries and is receiving medical attention at Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital.
The incident occurred on February 17, 2023, at around 12:00 hours in a car in Meanwood phase 3 area. Preliminary police investigations reveal that the girl left home in the Meanwood Phase 3 area around 09:00 hours for school, and on her way, a Toyota Vitz stopped, and the driver offered her a lift since it was raining.
The man changed direction and drove his car to an isolated place where he allegedly raped the girl after giving her some drinks suspected to be alcohol. Concerned members of the public approached the car after seeing it parked in an isolated place for a long time and found both the suspect and the victim in the car naked. They were both apprehended and handed over to the police.
The suspect was identified as George Banda, aged 31, of an unknown house number in Zingalume compound. He is said to be a taxi driver. Police officers who rushed to the scene recovered a Toyota Vitz bearing registration number BAV 7745 and a torn school uniform suspected to belong to the victim.
The victim sustained bleeding on her private parts, as well as general body pains. She was rushed to Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital for medical attention while Mr. Banda is detained in police custody waiting to be formally charged.
The police have called on members of the public to remain vigilant, especially when using public transportation, and to report any suspicious behavior or individuals to the police. The police also remind the public to avoid accepting lifts from strangers, and if they have to, to verify the identity of the driver and their car before accepting the ride.
The incident has sparked outrage on social media, with calls for justice for the victim and for stricter laws and regulations to protect young girls from sexual violence. The police have assured the public that they are doing everything in their power to ensure that justice is served in this case.
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