Police officers in Kaoma district of Western province have arrested Gilbert Banda 38, an intelligence officer from the Office of the President special division, for allegedly raping a Congolese national at Mayukwayukwa refugee camp.
Western Provincial Police Commissioner Fanwell Siandenge confirmed the incident in a telephone interview today.
Mr Siandenge who could not disclose the identities of the Congolese pre-school teacher at Mayukwayukwa refugee camp due to security reasons said that the incidence happened between September and October this year.
He said that Mr Banda who was on official duties at the camp had a forceful carnal knowledge of the unidentified pre-school teacher in her office and that the woman was only rescued by people after shouting for help.
Mr Siandenge said the matter has been handed over to a madam Ndopu, a police Superintendent in- charge of Victim Support Unit (VSU) department based in Mongu – Western division so that thorough investigations are established.
And medical reports obtained by police victim support unit from both Mayukwayukwa camp and Mangango mission hospitals respectively indicated that there was penetration and that semen and bruises were also found in her private parts.
And Mayukwayukwa refugee officer and home affairs officer Mwaba Mumba who expressed displeasure only prayed for the law to take its course and that she could not expect a government officer to do such a thing.
Mrs Mumba said whenever OP officers visited the camp, they always reported themselves to her office and UNHCR officials adding that the raped woman was rushed to the camp hospital and later on to Mangango mission hospital for further medical examinations.
She said the named woman is not allowed to move anyhow in the camp in order to secure her safety.
But sources at Mayukwayukwa kinder care in the camp said that the Congolese woman is a girl friend of the arrested OP officer.
They said their relationship has been there for a long time now but they could not tell what really transpired for her to spill the beans and report the intelligence officer to the police at Mayukwayukwa.
They said the OP man has been seen on several occasions frequenting the camp bringing food stuffs and many other items.
They said there is no Zambian person who is allowed to flirt around with a refugee in the camp according to the UNHCR regulations.
The matter will appear in court soon meanwhile Mr Banda has since been released on police bond.