Update on Zambia Prosecuting Consenting Adults For Marrying

In a case we last blogged about here, Zambia is still moving ahead with the prosecution of consenting adults for the "crime" of loving each other. Here's a report from lusakatimes.com...

A woman of Makululu Township in Kabwe District yesterday narrated to Kabwe Principal Resident Magistrate John Mbuzi how she rented out a room to a brother and sister who lived as husband and wife.

And them living as husband and wife has hurt people.... how? Oh, that's right. It hasn't.

This is in case where Maureen Musonda and Aaron Musonda of Makululu compound are facing two counts of incest, in count one incest by male contrary to Section 159(1) of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.

Particulars of the offence are that Aaron Musonda on dates unknown but between December, 2013 and February 27, 2014 in Kabwe knowing Maureen Musonda was his sister had unlawful carnal knowledge of her.In count two statement of offence incest by female contrary to section 159(1) of the penal code chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.

Particulars of the offence are that Maureen on dates unknown but between December 1, 2013 and February 27, 2014 in Kabwe knowing Aaron to be her brother permitted him to have unlawful carnal knowledge of her.

These things should not be crimes. Let them love each other the way they both want. 

Another witness in the matter Umbrella Musonda 59 years a peasant farmer in Mkushi District and father of the two accused told court that he has fifteen children and that Maureen and Aaron where both his children.

Musonda said he had fathered both the accused but in cross examination he admitted that the two did not grow up together and had different mothers though he insisted that he had introduced the two as brother and sister.

So this is a Genetic Sexual Attraction situation, if the assumption that he really is the biological father of both of them is correct.

Meanwhile another witness Margret Ngoma a police inspector at Kasanda Malombe police post in the Victim support Unit told court that on February 28, 2014 he took over the case of incest that was reported by Charles Musonda uncle to the two accused.

He's a rat.

She told court that after interviewing Maureen she proceeded to interview Aaron who admitted to having had carnal knowledge of his sister as he did not know they were brother and sister at the time.

Normally, I say DO NOT ADMIT ANYTHING. But...

When asked by the Magistrate Mbuzi whether or not he had willingly or had been forced to admit that he had unlawful carnal knowledge of Maureen his sister Aaron said he was forced by the police officers to admit the charge or risk been tortured.

WTF?!? "We're SO against consenting adults loving each other in the privacy of their own dwelling that we're going to torture them. Because love is much worse than torture."

Zambia, like so many others places in the world, needs to support the rights of ALL adults. An adult, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, or religion should be free to share love, sex, residence, and marriage (or any of those without the others) with any and all consenting adults without fear of prosecution, bullying, or discrimination.