THE Mwense Magistrate’s Court has found a 32-year-old man from Messenger’s Compound in Mwense District with a prima facie case for assaulting and attempting to rape a 19-year-old woman.

This is a matter in which Joseph Bunda is charged with one count of Assault Occasioning Bodily Harm (AOBH) and another count of Indecent Assault.

It is alleged that on 29th September, 2025, Bunda attacked and tried to rape 19-year-old Jenifer Kashiba around 18:00 hours as she was walking home from her sister’s shop where she operates from.

In the first count, Bunda allegedly grabbed Kashiba, causing her to fall and sustain bruises on her knees.

In the second count, the accused is alleged to have touched the victim on her private parts after pulling down her pants before she managed to escape.

Earlier, the victim testified that on the material day, Bunda was trailed behind her before grabbing her at an isolated place as she walked home and allegedly assaulted her.

Another witness and sister to the victim, Mara Kashiba, told the court that on the material day she saw the complainant coming home screaming with bruises on her knees, after which the matter was reported to the police.

In his defence, Bunda had previously admitted in court to seeing Kashiba on the day of the incident.

However, he later denied that the woman he saw that day matched her description, claiming she was “fat with a big head.”

He claimed that he followed the lady after he suspected that she was the one who used to trail him whenever he was coming from his drinking sprees, but denied touching her.

He accused the state of producing three different women who he said were claiming that he allegedly assaulted them.

Magistrate Fred Mwangala has since set 30th January 2026 as a day of judgment.