The court through state prosecutor Sub Inspector Danford Otala heard that Ndagonela, a Kabaza operator on July 25, 2023 defiled the victim while on his way to drop her at Thabwa from Dembo Trading Centre where she went to visit her relatives.

The victim’s mother noticed semen on her daughter’s genitals when she was changing her diaper that prompted questioning her sister who welcomed the girl about the matter who then narrated that the victim did not leave the house after she was dropped by the convict.

“The matter was reported at Chikwawa Police Station where she was issued with a referral letter to Chikwawa District Hospital and the results indicated that she was defiled”, Otala narrated.

Appearing in court Ndagonela pleaded not guilty which prompted the state to parade five witnesses who proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.

In mitigation, the convict asked for leniency considering family obligations.

In his submission prosecutor Otala prayed for a custodial sentence having noted the rise of sexual offences in the distrct and the girl was traumatized by the pain she suffered during the sexual act.

Passing sentence, Senior Resident Magistrate Byson Masonga concurred with the state hence sentenced him to 18 years imprisonment with hard labour to deter other would be offenders.

Samuel Ndagonela hails from Thukuta village, Traditional Authority Katunga in Chikwawa District.