By Sopani Ng’ambi
The Senior Resident Magistrate Court sitting at Sonda in Mzuzu City has convicted and sentenced a 50 years – old- man, Bannet Mwale, to 20 years imprisonment with hard labour after he was found guilty of defilling a 7 year -old -child contrary to Section 138 of the Penal Code.
Mzuzu Police station Deputy Public Relations Officer, Sergeant Enala Kalua has confirmed the news.
According to Kalua, the court heard through Child state prosecutor Sergeant Christina Shadreck, that the accused committed the offence on 28 October, 2020 at about 16:00 hours within Sonda area in Mzuzu.
Shadreck further narrated that on the material day, the victim planned to commit the offence because they are neighbours and he give her K80 as bride so that she should not tell anybody about the matter.
She reported the incident to her sister who disclosed the matter to the mother who immediately reported it to Mchengautuba Police Unit where the victim was issued with medical referral form and referred to Mzuzu Central Hospital where upon examination defilement was confirmed.
Mwale was then arrested and charged with the offence of defilement.
Appearing before the court, he pleaded guilty to the charge levelled against him, and he then pleaded with the court for leniency, saying he is the bread winner of his family.
In submission, the prosecutor asked the court to give him a stiffer punishment to teach him and others a lesson.
Passing the judgement, Senior Resident Magistrate Godfrey Nyirenda concurred with the state’s submission and slapped the convict with 20 years jail term.
Mwale hails from Majajande Village, Traditional Authority Nyambi in Machinga.
