Man gets 21 years for rape, robbery
Mzuzu Magistrate’s Court has sentenced a 25-year-old man to 21 years imprisonment for raping a girl at knife point and robbing her afterwards.
State prosecutor Chikondi Lipato told the court that the convict committed the offences on May 17 2022 in Mzuzu City.
He said the man, whose name is concealed to protect the identity of the victim, knocked at the victim’s house and asked her for a glass of water to drink, but he suddenly produced a knife and started threatening her.
“He dragged the girl into the house where he raped her. After the rape, he also stole other assorted items worth K460 000,” said Lipato.
He said the victim reported the matter to Mzuzu Police Station where investigations led to the man’s arrest. He was subsequently charged with rape and robbery, contrary to sections 133 and 301(2) of the Penal Code, respectively.
In court, the man pleaded not guilty to both charges, but the State paraded witnesses to prove its case.
In mitigation, he prayed for leniency, saying he was a first offender.
But in his submission, the State asked for a stiffer punishment, saying the convict was not remorseful, was a threat to society and that he had caused psychological trauma to the girl.
Senior resident magistrate Issah Maulidi agreed with the State that the convict was a threat to society.
He, therefore, sentenced the man to 21years imprisonment for rape and 21 years imprisonment for robbery. The sentences will run concurrently.
The convict comes from Kapindi Village, Traditional Authority Mtwalo in Mzimba District
