A WOMAN accused of murdering her husband in Chilanga and currently detained at Lusaka Central police station has accused a police officer of raping her while in handcuffs.
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Maya Masumba Miti, in an application for a writ of habeas corpus ad subjiciendum filed in the Lusaka High Court on May 12, 2025, says the alleged rape occurred in the bush when she was being transported from Chilanga Police Station to Musamba for questioning.
Miti has since asked the court for an order directing the Lusaka Division Commissioner of Police to constitute an identification parade for her to identify a male police officer who raped her inorder for justice to prevail.
“I am traumatised over the same,” she said.
Miti said she was married to her late husband, Dr Francisco Miti who was working for the ministry of Agriculture but he died due to an attack by armed robbers who broke into their house.
“My husband was badly injured as he was hit with an object on the head and was rushed to UTH where after some days he died.”
“Just after this unfortunate incident I was made to give a report at the police about what happened, but after burial one whole and half blood sisters of my late husband concocted a story that I was responsible for the demise of my husband and I was then consequently reported to the police,” she said.
Miti said she was subsequently picked by the police on September 13, 2024 and she has since remained in custody without appearing in court.
“From the said September 13, 2024 when i was apprehended by Chilanga police I was tortured the whole night by my arresting officer and 7 other male police officers and today the scars of the said torture are very visible on my arms and legs.”
“The police officers at Chilanga moved me on the second day of my detention from chilanga to Musamba Police Post,” she said.
She said the next day she was picked from Musamba at about 09:00 hours and taken back to Chilanga Police Station for interrogations and she was there until 19:00 hours.
“I was given two male police officers to take me back to Musamba Police Post and instead of taking me straight to Musamba I was taken into the near bush on the road used to go to Chilanga Cement where I was raped while in handcuffs by one of the two male police officers whilst the police officer who was driving remained in the police vehicle,” she said.
Miti said she was able to identify a male police officer who raped her from chilanga police station.
She said after being tortured and raped she was sternly warned not to tell anyone.
“I stayed for more than a week in cells without being allowed to be visited or seen by anyone as I had wounds on my hands and legs.”
“I narrated the ordeal to my young brother and also my lawyer who advised me to take a step,” she said.
Miti is also seeking the indulgence of court for leave to issue a writ of habeas corpus directing the Lusaka division commissioner of police to show cause why she should not immediately be brought to court and determine whether such detention is legal.
“I believe that any person who is arrested or detained and who is not released should be brought to court without undue delay before a court of law and I believe that the actions by the police to detain me for more than 24 hours is unlawful as I have not been charged,” she said.
Miti sought the indulgence of the court through the attorney general to parade the officers so that she picks the one who raped her in the interest of justice.
By Lucy Phiri
Kalemba May 16, 2025
