Person with albinism sentenced to 20 years in prison for defilement

Malawi: A 38-year-old man with albinism has been sentenced to 20 years in prison by the Mkukula Senior Resident Magistrate's Court for repeatedly defiling a 13-year-old girl, writes Inspector Esther Mkwanda, Kanengo Police Station Public Relations Officer.

On June 15, 2022, Allan Banda was found guilty of defilement.

The court learned from State Prosecutor Sub Inspector Esnart Phiri that Banda committed the crime in Area 49, Lilongwe, between August and October 2020, and then fled when he realised the police were after him.

Banda was the victim's mother's tenant at the time, living in one compound where he used to defile her in her mother's bedroom without being noticed.

Banda defiled the girl and gave her one hundred kwacha before threatening her into silence on October 16, 2020, around 0700 hours.

She told her mother after her mother noticed her difficulty walking.

On January 31, 2022, he was arrested following an investigation by the Mvama Police Unit.

Banda pleaded guilty during his trial, despite the fact that the State presented two witnesses to prove beyond a reasonable doubt.

Phiri, on the other hand, asked the court for harsher punishment, claiming that Banda's actions had traumatised the girl.

Senior Resident Magistrate Montfort Misunje accepted the State's plea and sentenced Banda to 20 years in prison.

Banda is from the Lilongwe District's Mthethe Village Traditional Authority Kalumbu.