The Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court in Lilongwe has sentenced a 62-year-old man, identified as Tsirizani Zakeyu, to 14 years in prison with hard labor for raping a 42-year-old woman with a mental disability.

According to Lilongwe Police Deputy PRO Constable Khumbo Sanyiwa, the, the court heard that Zakeyu committed the offense on December 6, 2024.

During the trial, Sub Inspector Florence Mlanje told the court that Zakeyu lured the victim into his house under the pretense of giving her plastic bottles for storing traditional beer (thobwa) but instead sexually assaulted her.

Despite pleading not guilty, the prosecution presented three witnesses whose testimonies proved his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. In mitigation, Zakeyu pleaded for a lighter sentence, arguing that it was his first offense and that he was intoxicated at the time of the incident.

However, Senior Resident Magistrate Bracious Kondowe agreed with the prosecution that a harsh punishment was necessary due to the serious nature of the crime. As a result, Zakeyu was sentenced to 14 years in prison with hard labor.

Zakeyu hails from Mngongonda Village, under Traditional Authority Njewa in Lilongwe.