A 25-YEAR-OLD man of Shamambo, Choma, who allegedly had carnal knowledge of his neighbour’s chicken has been deemed fit to undergo trial after he earlier told the court that he is of unsound mind.
Ignatius Mweemba is facing one count of unnatural offences after it was alleged that on July 22, 2023 he did have carnal knowledge of a chicken.
Initially, he had pleaded guilty to the charge but later denied doing so as he claimed that he suffers from seasonal madness.
Appearing before Choma principal resident magistrate Nthandose Chabala for reading of facts last week, defence lawyers said they had been informed that Mweemba wanted to change his plea.
In his explanation, Mweemba said, “I was sleeping and there were many chickens that came where I was. I was naked and one came where I was sleeping and that is how it died.
“Then they brought the neighbourhood watch, we were asked to pay for the chicken, but my grandmother failed to pay for it, so that is how they brought me here”.
Following his submission and contradictory statements, defence lawyers made an application that the suspect be subjected to a mental evaluation.
In response, magistrate Chabala ordered that Mweemba goes through an evaluation to ascertain whether or not he is fit to undergo trial.
However, in her ruling recently, the magistrate ruled that Mweemba would undergo trial after a mental examination revealed that he is of sound mind. Trial will commence today.
Credit: Zambia Daily Mail
