The Balaka Senior Resident Magistrate court has convicted and sentenced a 20-year-old man, Shukulani Ackimu, to 8 years imprisonment with hard labour for having sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl and impregnated her.

The court through state prosecutor Inspector Shadreck Jonathan Wisiki heard that the convict committed the offence between July 2023 to January 2025 at Phalula Village in Balaka District.

Appearing before court, the convict pleaded not guilty to a charge. This prompted the state to parade five witnesses who proved the case beyond reasonable doubt and he was convicted accordingly.

Passing sentence, Senior Resident Magistrate Joshua Nkhono concurred with the state’s submission for a stiff sentence hence sentenced him to 8 years imprisonment.

Shukulani Ackimu comes from Chikondi Village in Traditional Authority Nyanyala in Balaka District.