ON April 3, 2025, musicians, civil society organisations and church leaders took to the streets of Lusaka to call for justice for survivors of rape and defilement.
The protest, organised by the Non-Governmental Organisation Coordinating Council (NGOCC) alongside religious bodies and artists, began outside ZESCO headquarters and grew into a moving sea of placards, banners and chanting demonstrators.
Participants, including social media influencers, marched from ZESCO to the High Court grounds, holding images of young girls who had survived sexual assault and some who had tragically lost their lives to violence.
As the crowd made its way along Cairo Road and Independence Avenue, chants of “No bail! No bond for child defilers and rapists!” echoed through the city centre.
By 11 hours, the marchers reached the High Court grounds and faced Vice President Mutale Nalumango, accompanied by Justice Minister Princess Kasune and Gender Division Permanent Secretary Mainga Kabika.
NGOCC Chairperson Beauty Katebe led the delivery of a 17-point document outlining the public’s frustrations and demands.
Central among these were calls for no bail or bond for rapists and child defilers, and for surgical castration of convicted perpetrators.
The petition also criticised the slow pace of the legal review process, calling for amendments to the Penal Code to broaden the definition of gender-based violence to include sexual harassment beyond workplaces and schools.
Veteran musician Sista D addressed the crowd and appealed to President Hakainde Hichilema to exclude rapists and defilers from the list of those to be pardoned on Africa Freedom Day.
“When pardoning prisoners on 25th May, please don’t pardon rapists and defilers, please Mr President,” she pleaded.
Speaking on behalf of the Council of Churches in Zambia, General Secretary Father Emmanuel Chikoya condemned the sale and use of sexual boosters in the country, calling for stricter protections for children.
“Sexual boosters must no longer be sold in Zambia. We demand justice for our children,” he said.
Vice President Nalumango, who received the petition on behalf of government, assured protesters that authorities would consider stiffer penalties.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, December 31, 2025
