MUMBWA RECORDS 160 CHILD RELATED CASES

78 CASES of defilement were recorded last year in Mumbwa District.

Mumbwa Police Victim Support Unit (VSU), disclosed that this is out of 160 child related cases that were reported in the district.

VSU in-charge Assistant Superintendent, Joshua Phiri, said that the district recorded 78 cases of child defilement, 20 cases of Child Assault, 3 cases of Incest and 55 cases of failure to provide to children.

Mr Phiri said this at a sensitization meeting with Police Officers in the district to discuss the newly enacted Children’s Code Act No. 12 of 2022 that was organized by Child Fund in collaboration with Mumbwa Child Development Agency (MCDA).

“Others were child desertion, rape and Indecent Assault with each recording one. These numbers are alarming because not all cases were reported to the police,” he said.

Mr Phiri has since called for concerted efforts from all Zambians to address these issues, emphasizing that the responsibility should not solely rest on Child Fund.

A Child Fund Child Protection Specialist, Chimuka Hamusunse, emphasized the importance of involving the police in the sensitization process, noting that they play a crucial role in the enforcement of the Act.

“Police Officers play a pivotal role, they are the ones dealing with issues of the children which are in the Act.” Mr Hamusunse stated.

He underscored the significance of empowering police personnel with the provisions of the Act so as to enhance their effectiveness in addressing child-related cases.

Mr Hamusunse has also explained that the Children’s Code Act consolidates various pieces of legislation affecting children into one comprehensive document.

And Mumbwa Police Officer Commanding, Chiyambi Kayombo expressed gratitude to the Child Fund for organizing the orientation and training session for police officers on the Children’s Act.

Mr Kayombo acknowledged the high number of child-related cases in Mumbwa district, which includes defilement, incest, and many other offenses. “The training you have imparted in the officers will enhance their capability to handle the miscellaneous child cases they encounter in their everyday duties.” He said