The High Court in Blantyre has sentenced a 44-year-old Mozambican herbalist identified as Anini Manuel to 16 years imprisonment with hard labour for raping an 18-year-old Malawian girl who sought asthma treatment at his shrine.

In court, it was learnt that Manuel had tricked the girl by using a charm which made her asleep before he raped her.

State Prosecutors said the herbalist had among other things tried to clean the girl to get rid of evidence before the girl realized and reported the matter to police.

Later, in court, the Manuel pledged guilty before the court through Justice Vikochi Chima said the ruling will help deter would be offenders.

Manuel hails from Tamanda village, Tradition Authority Namayaya, Milanje, Mozambique.

-MIJ Online-