Police opens docket against Chief Simamba – The Times of Zambia

Description

The story is about a woman who was allegedly tied to a tree and caned several times on her buttocks by a traditional leader for buying charcoal in the village. She was left tied on a tree while carrying her baby from 14:00 to 18:00 hours. The alleged assault took place while the woman was trying to earn a living through buying coal from rural areas for resell in urban areas. The woman was assaulted for buying coal despite the fact that she had a valid permit from the forestry department.

Analysis

This story is a first-hand account of a woman who is assaulted by a traditional leader. The narrative allows the reader insight into the daily life of the woman. It is a story common to many women who labour under difficult conditions and are subject and/or vulnerable to abuse. In this case her work is highly physical; she has to collect coal from the villages with a baby on her back.

While the story details the abuse, it also presents the woman as courageous. She takes charge of the matter, reports it, and ensures the police open a docket. This shows the action of a woman who will defend her rights, regardless of the status of the attacker. It has transformative value in that it can spur other women who face such brutality to act and defend their rights.

The traditional leader’s refusal to give comment shows the abuse of power by chiefs who always want things done in their on way. No wonder the chief ignores the valid permit the woman had from the forestry department.

The story also highlights the abuse of children as the woman is left tied on a tree with a baby on her back for more than two hours. Rights of children to proper care have been violated.

Headline

The headline “Police open docket against Chief SimambaÀ does not correctly convey the story. It indicates a docket is opened against a chief rather than reasons why the docket is opened. Gender-based violence is not reflected in any way. The headline is inappropriate when compared with the content of the story.

Source

The use of multiple sources is critical in a sensitive story like this. The reporter relies on the woman narrating her ordeal and although effort is made to contact the traditional leader, the fact that he didn’t say anything does not balance the story. The reporter relies on unnamed sources who confirmed that such a report was made. Effort should have been made to get the docket which has more details. The use of appropriate sources is critical in a sensitive story of this nature.

The story could have been richer if advocacy groups on women and children and other traditional leaders were sourced, especially because of the high profile and leadership status of the alleged attacker.

Considering the gravity of this matter, laws pertaining to both children and women whose rights are violated and a list of organisations would have provided a key educational resource. This information is of public interest and resonates with many other women abused by men in power. In fact the story says the incident was not the first one. It tells us that gender violence cuts across class, race, ethnicity, religion, etc.

Language

The language used by the reporter was positive as the woman emerges active and not “helpless.À She is projected in a way that shows an empowered actor making positive strides despite difficult circumstances. The story describes the incident in which she claims she carried her child on her back for more than two hours tied to a tree. She struggles to get to the police, reports the matter and seeks medical attention.

Visual images

There are no pictures.

Story angle and perspective

The story angle is good in that it is a first-hand account. The reporter interviewed the woman herself unlike other common stories where reporters rely on the police or unnamed sources.

Placement or positioning

The story is placed at the top of page 2, one of the most important pages in a newspaper, making it prominent. The headline is in bold capital letters which also emphasises its importance.

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