MCP councillor facing rape charges now answering six counts
The State yesterday amended the charge sheet for Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Councillor for Chibanja Ward in Mzuzu, Charles Mlogera, who is accused of having carnal knowledge with three minors to include three other charges of child abduction.
From the initial three counts of defilement which is contrary to Section 138 (1) of the Penal Code, the State has also charged Mlogera with three counts of child abduction which contravenes Section 78 (1) of the Child Justice, Care and Protection Act of 2010.
Appearing before the Child Justice Court in Mzuzu on Friday, Mlogera entered a not-guilty plea on all the six counts.
The State, led by assistant superintendent Betty Msowoya, also started parading six of the 12 witnesses in the case. However, hearing of the first three witnesses, who are the victims, was heard in camera as they are minors.
Meanwhile, Mlogera remains in police custody after being denied bail last month. Child Justice Court Magistrate George Major Mbewe has denied him bail on two occasions, October 13 and October 25.
Magistrate Mbewe said during the sessions on October 13 and 25 that the court could not grant Mlogera bail as it was yet to understand circumstances that led to the alleged offence, information that can only be furnished to the court by witnesses.
It is alleged that on October 8 2016, Mlogera took the three girls from Chibavi Township in Mzuzu City and went with them to some drinking joints in the city where he got them drunk, and later booked a room at a lodge within the city where he had allegedly defiled them.
Mologera, 33, hails from Kanjati Village in the area of Traditional Authority (T/A) Kwataine in Ntcheu district.
