By Sarah Mlozoa

The High Court sitting in Phalombe, on Tuesday, adjourned a case to September 23, in which 81-year-old Maclin Kaonde, is answering a charge of defiling a six-year-old girl.

Last week Kaonde was granted bail on grounds of health problems.

Crime Prevention Officer for Phalombe Police, Austin Msiyamphanje, said the suspect committed the offence on September 2, in Matewele village, Traditional Authority Kaduya, Phalombe district.

According to Msiyamphanje, on the day of the incident, the suspect coaxed the victim, who was in a company of her younger sister, with money.

He then told the victim’s sister to go home but she hid near the place of incident where she watched her sister being defiled by the suspect.

Later, the girls reported the matter to their mother who together with relatives took it to the police forum.

Youth Net and Counselling (YONECO) and the Member of Parliament for Phalombe central, George Katunga Million, are also following the case with keen interest.

In his comment, Katunga said he learnt with shock that a man of the Kaonde’s age could do such an evil act which has definitely affected the child’s life.

“When I heard about the case I was greatly upset because I realize that the child’s health has been negatively affected in both mentally and physically hence pausing a threat on her future,” lamented Katunga.