The Lusaka Magistrates ‘Court has sentenced two women to two years for attempting to bribe a police officer to secure bond for their husband.
Magistrate Anna Holland ruled that the pair knowingly offered money despite being aware that bond is free, saying the cash was not innocently placed but intended as an inducement
The court found that the two acted together in trying to pay the officer to facilitate the husband’s release, and convicted them after determining the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt
In mitigation, the defense pleaded for leniency, describing the women as first offenders, remorseful mothers with children dependent on them, and noting that one had already spent time in custody
But the court held that bribing a public officer undermines public confidence, sentencing both women to two years’ imprisonment effective immediately, while the husband remains in custody facing a charge of defilement.
By Josphat Hamakala
