Mangochi First Grade Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, September 10, 2020 convicted and sentenced Chimwemwe Katema, 28, to 9 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling a 14-year-old girl.

During court proceedings, Chimwala Police Unit Prosecution In-Charge Sub Inspector Valens Reid Banda told the court that, on the evening of August 30, 2020 the victim and her friend ,15, went missing from their homes and their parents looked for them, but to no avail.

The following morning, the parents were alerted by well-wishers that the missing young girls were earlier seen at the accused’s house.

The accused was confronted about the rumours, but he denied.

Banda added that, few hours after confrontation well-wishers brought the missing young girls to their homes who were found at the accused’s house.

The girls narrated that they were forcefully taken to spend a night at the accused’s house who defiled one of them several times.

Matter was reported at Makokola Police Unit where medical report form was issued and the results from Koche Health Centre confirmed the defilement.

Appearing in court, the accused person pleaded not guilty and the state paraded four witnesses who proved the case beyond reasonable doubts.

In mitigation, Katema asked for court’s leniency, but the state quashed his appeal, saying such cases are on the increase despite government and stakeholders relentlessly working towards uplifting rights of the girl child.

When passing judgement, First Grade Magistrate Mtunduwatha Mpasu concurred with the state and sentenced him to 9-years imprisonment with hard labour to serve as a lesson to him and other would-be offenders.

Chimwemwe Katema hails from Ng’oma Village, Traditional Authority Chikumbu in Mulanje.