Mzuzu Senior Resident Magistrate Court has convicted and sentenced a 25 – year old, Moffat Lupunga to 18 years imprisonment with hard labourafter finding him guilty of raping a 17 – year old neighbour, an offense which contravenes section 132 of the penal code.
Edith Kachotsa Public Relations Officer, Mzuzu Police Station said the Court heard from state prosecutor, Sergeant Charles Mgala that Lupungu committed the offence on September 6, 2019 after the victim went out of her house to answer the call of nature.
“Lupunga gave a piece work of washing clothes to the victim and after they met, she was ordered to take the said clothes to his house.The victim was raped as she wanted to surrender the said clothes.” KachotsaKachotsa said the victim revealed the ordeal to her mother who rushed to Ekwendeni police unit and reported the matter which led to Lupunga’s arrest.
“In his submission Mgala asked for a stiffer sentence to be imposed on the convict despite being a first offender. He said that the accused betrayed the trust which the victim reposed on him being a neighbour.Mgala further explained to the court that the convict tore the clothes of the victim as there was violence during the commissioning of the offence.” Indicated Kachotsa
According to Kachotsa the convict pleaded for leniency saying, he is a breadwinner but when passing Judgement, Senior Resident Magistrate Peter Kandulu concurred with the state’s submissions saying, the convict deserves a meaningful custodial sentence in order to safeguard innocent girls.
“He then slapped him with 18 years Imprisonment with hard labour.” Said Kachotsa
Moffat Lupunga hails from Mkhwata village, Traditional Authority Chindi in Mzimba.
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