Lab tech detained on rape charges

…as attempts to withdraw case flop

By NATION REPORTER THE patient who was allegedly raped by a laboratory technologist at Chongwe district hospital wants to withdraw the case from the police, the Daily Nation learnt yesterday.

A source said the rape victim and other people went to Chongwe police station to try to withdraw the case but that the police rejected the attempts.

This is a case in which the victim, a 23-year-old woman of Chawama compound in Lusaka was allegedly raped by a 29-year-old laboratory technologist of Chongwe district hospital on May 6, 2018 when she went to the health facility to seek medical attention. Chongwe police officer-in-charge, assistant superintendent Aaron Banda told the Daily Nation in an interview yesterday that the suspect was still in custody and would appear in court soon. “He has been formally charged and will be handed to court soon. We cannot conceal a case of such magnitude, this is a serious felony and must be decided in court,” Mr Banda said.

The suspect, who was on duty, allegedly deceived the victim and raped her whilst pretending to be giving her medical attention.

Chongwe district health Director, Dr. Job Mwanza also confirmed the arrest of one of his staff in an interview. “I can confirm that one of my staff is in custody and is being investigated. The Police are handling the case and we would not want to jeopardize the investigations by issuing comprehensive statements. All I can say is that he was in custody of this morning,” he said.

The source said attempts to bury the case started from the time the incidence happened about two weeks ago. Even the arrest of the suspect was only possible by a whistle blower who alerted the police, the source added.