The Court sitting at Nthondo Headquarters heard that the Village Headman, whose name is Sandram Sendekele enticed the 25 year old victim (name withheld) that he would administer her with medicine to cure her from epilepsy only to defile her.

In mitigation, the Chief pleaded leniency on the basis that he takes care of his nephews and nieces.

First Grade Magistrate Dorothy Kalua described the offence committed by Sendekele as a serious one whose maximum sentence is 14 years IHL.

“As a traditional leader, you are supposed to protect sons and daughters and all people in your village but you decided to do otherwise by taking advantage of her condition to defile and traumatize her,” said Kalua before passing the sentence.

Ntchisi Police Station Victim Support Unit Coordinator, Lloyd Maida said what the chief had done was regrettable and unfortunate.

“As Police, we are impressed with the sentence imposed on the chief. Local leaders are supposed to be exemplary and our office will embark on a sensitization campaign for local leaders as well as strengthen our community policing structures in the district,” said Maida.

The Spotlight Initiative, a Government programme funded by the European Union and the United Nations to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls provided resources for the cases judgement to be delivered right at Nthondo headquarters.

Source: MANA