The Senior Resident Magistrate (SRM) Court at Mkukula in Dowa on June 3 2023, sentenced a 39-year-old man, Christopher Tsekwe to 15 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling his niece.
Inspector Mackenzie Kamaziru, of Kanengo Police Station prosecutions office told the the court that Tsekwe had been defiling the girl from 2021 to 2022 while staying with her.
Kamaziru further told the court that the convict warned the girl not to reveal threatening that he would beat her if she did. After several encounters with the girl, Tsekwe chased his wife and instead, took the girl as his wife.
Appearing in court, Tsekwe pleaded not guilty to the charge which prompted the state to parade two witnesses who testified against him.
In mitigation, the convict asked for forgiveness saying he was influenced by the devil.
In his submissions, Inspector Kamaziru prayed for a stiff penalty arguing that as a guardian the convict was supposed to protect the child and not doing the opposite. He further said offences of this nature are rampart in the area and the country as a whole hence the need for a stiff sentence to a deter with similar intentions.
Passing the sentence during a mobile court held at Mtema, SRM Montform Misunje concurred with the state and sentenced Tsekwe to 15 years imprisonment with hard labour.
Tsekwe hails from Nyangu Village,Traditional Authority Kaphuka in Dedza District.
Reported by Tess Admas