Civil servant netted for defilement

Police in Ntcheu have arrested Sapita Banda, an animal handler in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security based at Bilira Extension Planning Area (EPA), on allegations that he impregnated his 15-year-old stepdaughter.

According to Ntcheu Police public relations officer, Gift Matewere, the victim went to her home village where her aunts suspected that she was pregnant.

Matewere said tests conducted on the girl confirmed that she was pregnant.

He said upon being quizzed, the girl mentioned Banda as the man responsible for the pregnancy, saying he had been sleeping with her since 2011.

The matter was reported to police who arrested Banda and charged him with the offence of defilement, contrary to Section 139 of the Penal Code.

The girl is in Form Two at a community day secondary school in the district.

Banda, 45, comes from Phoya Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Njolomole in the district.