A 24-year-old man of Katuta village in Lupososhi district in Northern province has been convicted of escaping from lawful custody by Luwingu district Subordinate Court.
Friday Kauzu aged 24 of Katuta village of chief Katuta of Lupososhi district was convicted for escaping from lawful custody contrary to section 119 of the penal code chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia by Luwingu district resident magistrate Sharon Luhanga.
It is alleged that Kauzu, who was who was facing a charge of rape on December 30th 2024 at 09:00 hours, was among the eight remandees who were brought before Luwingu subordinate for various offences.
Kauzu was waiting for his judgement for the offence of rape contrary to section 132 and 133 as amend by act number two of 2011 of the penal code 87 of laws of Zambia.
Kauzu was in the custody of number 31974 Sergeant Lenford Mvula of Luwingu district police station.
It was during this time that Kauzu, now the accused person, took to the heels and ran away from lawful custody.
When Police mounted a chase and fired warning shots in the air, a stray bullet accidentally landed on an innocent child at Burma market.
In mitigation, Kauzu pleaded with Resident Magistrate Luhanga for lenience saying he decided to run away from court proceedings for fear of his life.
Kauzu said that he feared that if convicted he would suffer a lot because no one of his relatives was aware of him being in police custody.
In her ruling however, Luwingu Resident Magistrate Luhanga took note that Kauzu was the first offender who deserves lenience. She however said the behaviour on the material day was uncalled for.
“It is for this reason that people like Kauzu deserve stiffer penalty to deter the would-be offenders in the district,” she said .
Resident Magistrate Luhanga further lamented that she was informed that in the process of pursuing Kauzu, police fired warning shots to stop him from running away but a stray bullet landed and injured an innocent child in the area.
The situation which should have been avoided if he remained seated in the court hearing other cases, she said.
The Resident magistrate thereafter convicted him with 12 months imprisonment with effective from that day he was arrested
Meanwhile, judgement for the rape contrary to section 132 and 133 as amend by act number two of 2011 of the penal code 87 of laws of Zambia has been adjourned to January 13, 2025.