A 52-YEAR OLD University of Zambia (UNZA) lecturer has been found guilty of fondling the breasts and thighs of one of his students.
Austin Mbozi has now been found guilty and convicted of indecently assaulting his victim and the matter has now been taken to the High Court for mitigation and sentencing.
When the matter came up before Lusaka Senior Resident Magistrate Felix Kaoma, he found Mbozi guilty of indecent assault and committed his case to the High Court.
According to the evidence in court, on September, 28, 2020 in Lusaka, Mbozi unlawfully and indecently assaulted a female student.
According to the evidence by the victim, she told court that on the fateful day, she went back into the UNZA premises to study.
She told court that on her way, she was stopped by Mbozi who asked her where she was going.
Court heard that Mbozi informed her that he needed some urgent work typed and needed help with it and the victim agreed to help him and he told her to go to his office around 17:00 hours to sign a contract for work, which involved typing some information.
The victim recounted that when she went to Mbozi’s office, she found two tables.
“When we sat down, he started touching my neck, kissing me and then moved to touching my breasts, waist and thighs. He then started moving towards my vagina, but I moved. He then told me that he would take care of me and offered me a bundle of money ,but I refused. He told me that he would divorce his wife and that he liked me very much, and he would increase the salary if I worked well,” she said.
She further recounted to court that she then got scared and started crying after realising that the door was locked and tried to get out.
Court heard that after pleading with Mbozi and promising him that she would return the next day, she then ran out and before she could report the matter to UNZA security, she fainted and was taken to the clinic.
In his defence, the convict denied the allegations against him.
However, in ruling, magistrate Kaoma said that he was satisfied with prosecution evidence and found Mbozi guilty of indecently assaulting the victim.
“In the circumstances and by the foregoing reasons, I am satisfied the prosecution have proved their case against the accused for the offence of indecent assault as charged. I do hereby find him guilty and convict him accordingly,” he said.
He then committed him to the High Court for mitigation and sentencing.
(Mwebantu, Friday, July 15th, 2022)