Chief jailed 20 years for defilement

Lilongwe Magistrate’s Court sitting at Chigodi Primary School in Traditional Authority (T/A) Mazengera in Lilongwe has sentenced a 40-year-old village head to 20 years for defiling a 13-year-old girl.

State prosecutor Richard Kandeya told the court that the chief committed the offence on June 27 2023.

He said the man defiled the girl in a garden where she was sent to source pumpkin leaves for relish.

“When well-wishers came to rescue the girl, the village head was furious and he threatened to deal with them for disturbing him,” said Kandeya.

In court, the traditional leader pleaded not guilty, but the State paraded witnesses to prove its case.

In mitigation, the village head prayed for leniency, saying he is a first time offender and a breadwinner for his family.

But in his submission, Kandeya asked the court to give the man a 21-year custodial sentence, citing the seriousness of the offence.

He also said that being a village head, the convict was supposed to protect the girl.

In his ruling, senior resident magistrate Wanangwa Nyirenda agreed with the State, saying the convict was old enough to know the consequences of defilement.

Therefore, he sentenced the convict to 20 years imprisonment.

The mobile court allowed pupils and other community members to ask questions on sexual-related crimes and their consequences.

World Vision Malawi facilitated the mobile court to let people know what happens during court trial.