Nkhunga First Grade Magistrate Court in Nkhotakota has convicted and sentenced a 37-year-old man, Madalitso Chitsa, to six years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling his imbecilic step daughter.

The court through Sub Inspector Mickeas Chatsila heard that Madalitso Chitsa had been sleeping with her step daughter who is unsound in mind on several occasions.

The issue came to light after the victim asked her mother if it was right to continue sleeping with her stepfather.

This surprised the mother who, upon making inquiries from her daughter, discovered that Chitsa had been sleeping with her daughter taking advantage of her mental condition.

He was arrested and brought to court where he was charged. He appeared before the court on January 10, this year (2020) where he pleaded not guilty to the charge, prompting the state to parade four witnesses.

After full trial, he was convicted and in mitigation, Chatsa told the court that he has two wives who would suffer if the court decided to send him to jail.

In his submission, Sub Inspector Mickeas Chatsila said the behaviour shown by Chitsa left a lot to be desired since he took advantage of the girl’s mental condition.

The state witness further said Chitsa was supposed to be protecting his kids, especially one with mental challenge.

First Grade Magistrate Kingsley Buleya dismissed the mitigating factor, saying he had shown that he is a threat to the society as a whole, as such needed to be isolated from it.

Buleya then sentenced the accused to six years imprisonment with hard labour with effect from the date of his arrest.

Madalitso Chitsa hails from Mdyang’ombe Village in Traditional Authority Masumbankhunda in Lilongwe.