The Matero Local Court has heard a case involving a Lusaka-based physicist accused of assaulting his girlfriend’s husband, a serving army officer, after being allegedly discovered inside the officer’s matrimonial home.
Officer reports alleged assault
The complainant, identified in court as Officer Kay, told the court that he reported the matter to police following a confrontation at his residence.
According to his testimony, the incident occurred on September 26, 2025, when he made an unplanned return home late at night while working out of town. Upon entering his bedroom, he said he found Dickson Musopelo, a Chelston resident, with his wife, Melody Kuliwa.
The officer further claimed he noticed semen on the bed, a discovery that reportedly triggered a physical altercation. He alleged that Musopelo assaulted him during the struggle, leaving him with injuries.
The matter is being heard before Lusaka magistrate Victora Mututwa, where Musopelo has denied the assault charge. The court also heard that Officer Kay said he restrained himself from attacking the pair despite the shocking situation he encountered.
Accused claims self-defence
In his defence, Musopelo told the court that he acted in self-defence, insisting that Officer Kay was the aggressor.
He explained that he had gone to Ms Kuliwa’s residence after she informed him that she was separated from her husband. According to him, events escalated when Officer Kay unexpectedly arrived at the house.
“Around 22:30, she woke me up and said Officer Kay is here. I went to hide in the wardrobe just to avoid conflict,” Musopelo testified.
He said the officer later opened the wardrobe and discovered him inside.
“He grabbed my belt and Kuliwa came between us to restrain him, but as she tried to separate us, the complainant started throwing punches,” he said.
Musopelo alleged that the first punch was directed at Ms Kuliwa, prompting him to pull her away. He claimed he was repeatedly struck, fell into a bathtub during the struggle, and was hit on the head.
“I fell into the bathtub, he hit me on the head, water started filling the tub and I was almost drowning,” he told the court.
“As he was punching me while I was on the ground, I punched him just once with my left hand,” he added.
The accused further stated that he briefly lost consciousness and later fled the scene with Ms Kuliwa.
Under cross-examination, Musopelo admitted he had no proof to support his claim that he was assaulted. When asked by the prosecutor whether he challenged the allegation that he was found having sex in the matrimonial bedroom, he responded, “We never had sex.”
The case continues before the court.
