A 25-year-old woman of Lusaka’s John Laing compound, Mumbe Nalube, has pleaded not guilty to the offence of deserting her 3-month-old baby.
In this matter, the accused is charged with desertion of the child contrary to Section 168 of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
Particulars of the offence are that Mumbe Nalube, between February 27th and March 3rd, 2025, in Lusaka, being a parent, willfully and without lawful or reasonable cause, did desert Cephas Nalube, her child, and left him without any means of support.
When the matter came up before Magistrate Kawana Mwamfulu, the accused informed the court that she had left her 3-month-old child in the custody of her friend.
However, upon returning the same day, she found the child had been taken by her mother.
She says what caused her delay within a period of 6 hours was that on the particular day, it had started raining, while stating that there was no specific reason as to why she left the child with her friend.
She has told the court that the child is now 6 months old while the matter has been adjourned to June 24th for mention.
By Best Jere
