Man sentenced to 9 years in prison for defilement

MALAWI: On April 20, 2022, the Chief Resident Magistrate's (CRM) Court in Lilongwe convicted and sentenced Hastings Mkwichi 20, to 9 years imprisonment with hard labour (IHL) for defilement, in violation of Section 138 of the penal code, writes Sub Inspector Mabvuto Phiri, PRO-Kawale Police Station.

Mkwichi committed the crime on October 26, 2021, in Kawale 1, according to State Prosecutor Sub Inspector Roxy Nsaka of Kawale Police.

Nsaka brought to the court's attention the fact that the victim had been defiled by the land lord's son.

Nsaka also told the court that on the fateful day, the victim (name withheld) was returning from the market when he met Mkwichi, who tricked her into entering his house (boys’ quarters), where he defiled her.

However, a girl who was nearby heard the victim crying and informed the victim's mother. When questioned, the girl reported the matter.

The incident was reported to the Kawale Police Station, and the victim was given a referral letter to Kamuzu Central Hospital. Mkwichi was arrested as a result of this in November 2021.

Mkwichi appeared in court and pleaded not guilty to the charge levelled against him, prompting the state to call 5 witnesses to testify against him.

In his submission, Nsaka told the court that cases of this nature are becoming more common in Kawale's policing area and that the public looks to the courts for protection, so he requested a harsher sentence to deter future offenders.

In mitigation, Mkwichi requested leniency, stating that he is caring for his elderly parents and that he is still too young for a custodial sentence.

CRM Patrick Chirwa, passing sentence, agreed with the state and sentenced him to 9 years IHL.

Mkwichi is from Chiwere Village in Dowa District's Traditional Authority Chiwere.