A 37-year-old businessman has been arraigned before the Chipata Magistrates’ Court in Zambia for allegedly sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl who was in his care while his wife was away giving birth.
The accused, Chomba Chimfwembe, from Chipata Motel Township, Zambia, is facing two counts of defilement. He denied both allegations when he appeared before Senior Resident Magistrate Destiny Kalusopa on Friday, August 21, 2026.
The case has attracted attention because of the circumstances surrounding the allegations and the testimony presented before the court.
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Zambia Businessman denies allegations
According to the prosecution’s case, Chimfwembe allegedly had sexual intercourse with the minor on two separate occasions while his wife, Regina Tembo, was away in Lusaka.
The alleged incidents are said to have occurred in April and June 2026.
Chimfwembe has denied the charges and will face the court proceedings as the case continues.
Because the allegations remain before the Zambian court, the accused is presumed innocent unless proven guilty according to law.
Wife noticed a change in the girl
Tembo told the court that she became suspicious after returning to Chipata following the birth of her child.
According to her testimony, she noticed that the 13-year-old girl had become unusually withdrawn and had changed her behaviour at home.
One of the changes that particularly concerned her was that the girl had started locking her bedroom door at night.
Tembo said the girl normally shared the room with another child, making the behaviour unusual.
She said she eventually spoke to the girl privately in an attempt to find out whether something was wrong.
The conversation reportedly led to the girl making the allegation against Chimfwembe.
Girl allegedly opened up to her
According to Tembo’s testimony, she approached the girl while they were talking like mother and daughter.
She questioned the child about her wellbeing and asked whether everything was okay.
It was during that conversation that the Zambian court heard that the girl allegedly told Tembo that her husband had sexually abused her.
Tembo subsequently informed her visiting elder sister so that she could hear the account directly from the girl.
She later notified the victim’s uncle about the allegation.
The matter was subsequently reported to the relevant authorities, leading to the criminal proceedings against Chimfwembe.
Children had been left with relatives
Tembo also explained the circumstances surrounding the children’s care while she was away.
Before travelling to Lusaka to give birth, she had reportedly left the 13-year-old and another child in Katete under the care of her elder sister.
However, according to her testimony, Chimfwembe later went to retrieve the two children before Tembo returned home.
The prosecution alleges that the incidents occurred during the period when Tembo was away.
Wife rejects property-related allegation
During cross-examination, Tembo was reportedly questioned by the defence over the possibility that she had fabricated the allegations because of a dispute involving her husband’s property.
The defence allegedly suggested that she could benefit from having control of his property if he were imprisoned.
Tembo rejected the suggestion and maintained her account of what happened after she returned home and spoke with the girl.
The court will have to consider the evidence from all sides before reaching any conclusion.
Victim also testified
Earlier in the proceedings, the 13-year-old girl reportedly testified before the court.
She alleged that Chimfwembe had sexually abused her while his wife was away.
Her testimony forms part of the evidence being presented as the prosecution seeks to establish its case against the accused.
The allegations are serious, and the proceedings are expected to continue as additional evidence is considered.
Case continues in Zambia
Chimfwembe remains an accused person at this stage, having denied the two charges brought against him.
The Zambian court will examine the testimony and other evidence presented by both the prosecution and defence before determining the outcome of the case.
The allegations also highlight concerns surrounding the safety of children who are placed in the care of adults, particularly when parents or guardians are temporarily away.
Child protection organisations and authorities generally encourage children to have safe channels through which they can report inappropriate behaviour or suspected abuse.
For now, the case remains before the Chipata Magistrates’ Court iv Zambia, and the allegations against Chimfwembe have yet to be proven.
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