Zambian singer, who received presidential pardon for sexual assault, beats 2 women

LUSAKA, Zambia – A Zambian singer, who received a presidential pardon after he was convicted for sexually assaulting a teenage girl, assaulted two other women shortly after his release.

Zambia’s President Edgar Lungu pardoned Clifford Dimba in July and appointed him an ambassador for women’s rights. Dimba, known as General Kanene, served a year of his 18-year sentence.

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Four days after his release, Zambian media reported that Dimba beat up his wife. In October, Dimba was arrested for allegedly assaulting another woman in a pub. He was released on bail.

Sarah Longwe, chairwoman of Zambia’s Non-Governmental Organization Coordination Council, said Dimba was pardoned after he recorded a song praising Lungu during his 2014 presidential campaign.

Dimba’s pardon trivializes sexual violence in Zambia, said U.N. Special Rapporteur on violence against women, Dubravka Simonovic.