The Principal Resident Magistrate Court in Mzuzu has convicted and sentenced Frank Gondwe to 14 years’ imprisonment with hard labour for raping a 25-year-old woman.

The court, through state prosecutor Sub Inspector Samuel Juziwel, heard that the convict and the victim were both married and neighbors within the city.

On December 24, 2023, the victim went to the convict’s house to separate them during a fight, which prompted the convict’s wife to run away. He then accused the victim of being the cause of his wife’s departure and forced her to escort him to look for his wife.

While still searching, they passed by the botanic gardens, where he forced himself on her and raped her four times, including anal sex.

The victim went home and explained everything to her husband, they reported the matter to Mzuzu Police Station where they were issued a medical report and medical findings revealed that she was raped. The suspect was arrested on December 27, 2023.

Appearing before court he denied the charge but the state paraded five witnesses which made the court to convict him.

In mitigation he asked for leniency saying that he has children to take care of since his wife is now married to another man. However, state prosecutor told the court that the convict deserves a stiff punishment since he raped a woman whom her marriage is no longer the same due to the incident and that he committed the offence repeatedly.

Passing the sentence Principle Resident Magistrate Clemence Chamwenda concurred with the state saying that despite the convict being a first offender, he committed a serious offence which left the woman traumatised. He then sentenced him to 14 years imprisonment with hard labour.

Gondwe hails from Mjuma Village, Traditional Authority Chikulamayembe in Rumphi district.