John General Rape Trial (Read)
The State closed its case on the rape trial of self anointed senior prophet John Nundwe whose stage name is John General.
The prosecution wrapped up its case before the Lusaka Magistrates Court after calling a mental health expert whose evidence was meant to explain why a victim may not scream, fight or even remember every detail during a sexual assault. Psychiatrist Dr Naeem Dalal told the court that the popular belief that a victim must physically resist is medically flawed and unsupported by science. He explained that in situations of extreme trauma, the human body automatically responds in one of three ways, fight, flight or freeze depending on what it perceives as the best chance of survival.
Dr Dalal focused his testimony on the freeze response, medically referred to as tonic immobility, a condition in which a victim becomes temporarily paralyzed and unable to resist, despite being conscious of what is happening.
According to the expert, this involuntary reaction can also affect memory and may result in a lack of visible physical injuries, a reality that often contradicts public expectations and fuels victim-blaming narratives.
The testimony was aimed at helping the court properly assess the complainant’s conduct and the medical evidence placed before it, which have been central to the case. With Dr Dalal’s evidence concluded, the State formally closed its case, having called a total of ten witnesses since the trial began in July 2024.
The matter has now been adjourned for ruling, where the magistrate will decide whether the prosecution has established a prima facie case strong enough to put John Nundwe on his defence.
According to the National Prosecution Authority, if the court is satisfied with the evidence, Nundwe will be required to respond to the allegations.
If not, the case will collapse at this stage. The court’s ruling is now awaited to determine the next direction of the case.
