ZAMBIA EXPLAINS
MAN ON THE RUN AFTER ALLEGEDLY SEXUALLY ABUSING A COW IN MAMBWE: WHAT DOES AFRICAN LAW SAY ABOUT BESTIALITY?
Article by Rodgers Mangwela | KASONDE24
A cow worth K7,500 has become the centre of a police investigation in Eastern Province, Zambia, following allegations of sexual abuse involving a 19-year-old man. But beyond the unusual circumstances of the reported incident lies a wider question about animal protection, criminal responsibility and similar cases that have appeared in courtrooms across Africa.
Police in Eastern Province have launched a manhunt for a 19-year-old man identified as Tyson Phiri, who is suspected of sexually abusing a cow in Mambwe District.
According to Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba, the incident reportedly happened on November 3, 2026, around 11:00 hours in the Saliya-Tengeni Bwino farming area under Chief Msoro.
Mr Mweemba said the matter was reported to Msoro Police Post by the animal's owner, 21-year-old Simon Phiri of Saliya Village.
The cow is valued at K7,500, making the incident not only a matter of alleged animal abuse but also one involving the welfare and property of a farming household.
HOW THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED
Police reports indicate that the incident was witnessed by 25-year-old Tina Mwanza, who allegedly discovered the suspect tying the cow in a nearby bush.
According to the police account, Ms Mwanza later found him engaging in a sexual act with the animal.
She reportedly raised an alarm, prompting the suspect to stop. The witness subsequently informed the village headman and the cow's owner, who later reported the matter to police.
Mr Mweemba confirmed that the suspect was on the run and that police had launched efforts to apprehend him.
At the time of the report, no arrest had been announced.
WHAT IS BESTIALITY AND WHY IS IT A CRIMINAL OFFENCE?
The sexual act between a human being and an animal is commonly referred to as bestiality.
Unlike human beings, animals cannot provide informed consent to sexual activity. Such acts therefore raise serious animal welfare concerns, including the possibility of physical injuries, psychological distress and infection.
Animals used for farming are also important economic assets for rural households. A cow can provide milk, support breeding activities, contribute to agricultural production and represent a family's accumulated investment.
In communities such as Mambwe, where livestock can form an important part of household livelihoods, an incident involving the alleged sexual abuse of an animal carries consequences beyond the immediate act.
ZAMBIA'S LAW: WHAT COULD THE SUSPECT FACE?
Zambia treats sexual acts involving animals as serious criminal offences.
Under Section 155(b) of the Zambian Penal Code, having carnal knowledge of an animal constitutes an offence classified as an unnatural offence.
The law provides for imprisonment of not less than 15 years and potentially life imprisonment upon conviction.
This means that if the allegations in Mambwe are established in court and the suspect is convicted under the relevant provision, the potential legal consequences are severe.
However, the suspect has not yet been convicted. The investigation must establish the facts, and the courts must determine criminal responsibility in accordance with the law.
SIMILAR CASES REPORTED ACROSS AFRICA
The Mambwe incident is not the first reported case of its nature on the African continent. Court records and media reports from several countries illustrate that animal sexual abuse has resulted in criminal prosecutions and prison sentences.
1. Zambia: Five years for an incident involving a pregnant goat
In November 2018, a 22-year-old man identified as Reuben Mwaba was sentenced to five years' imprisonment with hard labour by the Nchelenge Magistrate's Court after being convicted of bestiality involving a pregnant goat.
The case involved an animal belonging to another villager. The court imposed a custodial sentence after the accused admitted the offence.
The case demonstrated that Zambian courts can impose substantial prison sentences for offences involving sexual abuse of animals.
2. Kenya: Four years for sexually abusing a cow
In 2019, a 23-year-old man, Castrol Koome, was convicted of committing an unnatural act with his uncle's cow in Meru County.
He initially received a seven-year prison sentence. However, following an appeal, the High Court upheld his conviction but reduced the sentence to four years.
A veterinary examination reportedly confirmed injuries consistent with violent penetration.
3. Kenya: Two years for an incident involving a cow
In September 2023, another case emerged in Eldoret involving a 20-year-old farm worker, Billy Kipchumba.
He pleaded guilty to engaging in an unnatural sexual act with a cow in Moiben, Uasin Gishu County.
The court sentenced him to two years in prison. During proceedings, he reportedly claimed that he had experienced a strong sexual urge that he could not control.
4. Uganda: A man convicted over a goat
In December 2025, a 22-year-old man identified as Emmanuel Ocen appeared before the Chief Magistrate's Court in Pader District after being accused of having sexual intercourse with a goat.
He pleaded guilty to the offence under Section 134(b) of Uganda's Penal Code.
A veterinary report presented in court described physical injuries to the animal, including bruising and difficulty standing.
The court ultimately cautioned him rather than imposing a custodial sentence, taking into account the circumstances presented during the proceedings.
These cases demonstrate that the treatment of such offences can vary considerably, even within countries that criminalise the conduct.
HOW SERIOUSLY DO DIFFERENT AFRICAN COUNTRIES TREAT THESE OFFENCES?
There is no single criminal justice system governing Africa. Each country has its own legislation, sentencing provisions and approach to animal welfare.
In Zambia, Section 155 of the Penal Code provides for a minimum 15-year prison sentence, with the possibility of life imprisonment, for the offence of having carnal knowledge of an animal.
In Kenya, bestiality is criminalised under Section 162 of the Penal Code. Reported convictions have resulted in sentences ranging from two to several years.
Uganda also criminalises the conduct under its Penal Code, although the Pader case demonstrates that judicial outcomes can depend on the circumstances and sentencing decisions.
South Africa has also demonstrated a strong approach to prosecuting sexual abuse of animals.
In 2022, a South African court sentenced a man identified as M. Mofokeng to eight years' direct imprisonment after he was convicted of sexually abusing his neighbour's dog, Moana.
According to the National Council of SPCAs, the case was particularly significant because the sentence represented the highest direct imprisonment sentence for animal cruelty in Africa at the time of its report.
The comparison illustrates an important point: criminal penalties differ across jurisdictions, and the outcome of an individual case depends on the applicable law and evidence presented before the court.
WHAT MAKES SOME MEN ENGAGE IN SEXUAL ACTS WITH ANIMALS?
One question that frequently emerges whenever such cases are reported is why a person would engage in sexual activity with an animal.
There is no single explanation that accounts for every case, and it would be misleading to suggest that poverty, unemployment, rural living or sexual frustration automatically lead people to commit such acts.
Possible contributing circumstances in individual cases may include unusual or persistent sexual interests, difficulties with impulse control, psychological or psychiatric conditions, substance-related impairment and situations where a person has access to animals without supervision.
However, none of these possibilities should be assumed to explain the Mambwe incident. There is currently no established psychological assessment or confirmed explanation of the suspect's alleged actions.
It is also important not to confuse a criminal act with a psychiatric diagnosis. A person cannot be diagnosed with a disorder simply because of an allegation or unusual behaviour.
Where appropriate, professional assessment can help establish whether an individual has underlying psychological or behavioural difficulties.
Ultimately, explanations must come from reliable evidence rather than stereotypes or speculation about African men and rural communities.
ANIMAL PROTECTION IS ALSO A COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY
The Mambwe case provides an opportunity for communities to reflect on the importance of protecting domestic animals.
Farmers, livestock owners and community leaders have a responsibility to report suspected abuse and seek veterinary assistance whenever an animal is believed to have suffered an injury.
Veterinary examinations can help establish the nature of injuries, provide necessary treatment and preserve important evidence for investigations.
For a household that depends on livestock, protecting an animal also means protecting an important source of livelihood.
In Kabwe, Katondo and other farming communities across Zambia, awareness of animal welfare should form part of broader community education about responsible livestock ownership.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
The reported incident in Mambwe may appear unusual, but the legal and animal welfare questions it raises are important.
Across Africa, similar cases have reached police stations and courtrooms, demonstrating that the protection of animals is not merely a matter of cultural expectations but also a responsibility recognised by criminal law.
As police pursue the suspect, the immediate priority remains establishing the facts, protecting the animal's welfare and ensuring that the matter is handled through the justice system.
A society's responsibility towards animals should not begin only when an unusual incident makes headlines. It should be reflected in how communities protect, care for and treat the animals that depend on them.
published by KASONDE24
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