Reverend remanded for rape

The Lilongwe Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday remanded the Reverend Justin Katsala of Evangelical Church to Maula Prison for allegedly raping a 19 year-old girl.

Lilongwe Police Station spokesperson Kingsley Dandaula confirmed the development, saying the incident occured last Friday when the victim went for prayers at Katsala’s house.

“The victim and her other friend went for prayers at the Reverend’s house at CCDC location.He prayed with both girls for a few minutes and then asked one to go outside and wait for her friend. When the friend went outside, Katsala took the victim to his bedroom where he told her to undress and to lie down.

“The Reverend then told the girl to sing hymns while he raped her,” said Dandaula.

He said after raping the girl, Katsala asked her to have some food before leaving his house, but she refused and went outside where her friend was waiting.

Said Dandaula: “She told her friend about the ordeal and, together, they went to report at Kawale Police who gave the girl a report and she rushed to hospital where it was confirmed that she was indeed raped. Kawale Police then arrested him.”

Katsala comes from Bilira Village in Senior Chief Makwangwala’s area in Ntcheu District. He will answer rape charges contrary to Section 132 of the Penal Code, according to Dandaula. n