MUFULIRA STUDENT SENTENCED FOR DISTRIBUTING PORNOGRAPHIC MATERIAL
Written by Mafken FM Newsroom on 12 September 2024
By Fridah Chalwe
21-year-old Mercy Mwakesa a resident of Ndeke in Mufulira District on the Copperbelt Province has, appeared before Magistrate Mercy Chabu at the Mufulira Magistrate Court today, September 12, 2024.
Mwakesa faced charges of producing and distributing pornographic material on social media between May 1 and May 14, 2024.
During her initial court appearance on June 4, 2024, Mwakesa requested bail to continue her education.
The court granted her K10, 000 cash bail with conditions, including providing two government working sureties, not interfering with evidence, and avoiding contact with witnesses. However, she failed to meet these conditions and remained in police custody from May 22 to September 12, 2024.
Mwakesa’s second court appearance, scheduled for June 18, 2024, was postponed pending consent from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Mwakesa has pleaded guilty to the charges.
Considering her age, status as a Grade 11 student, and her expression of remorse, Magistrate Chabu sentenced her to six months in prison or a fine of K4, 000. Mwakesa has been given until September 13, 2024, to pay the fine.
She appealed for leniency, stating that she had learned significantly from the court proceedings and did not fully understand that her actions were illegal in Zambia.
