The Phalombe First Grade Magistrate Court has sentenced 45-year-old Charles Khwalala to five years imprisonment with hard labour for having sexual intercourse with a 35-year-old woman with a mental disability.

The facts of the matter are that on April 28th this year, the convict found the victim in a bluegum woodlot, where he grabbed and raped her.

Passing his sentence at Chinani open court, First Grade Magistrate Fletcher Mtosa said the convict deserved a stiffer punishment to deter other would-be offenders, as this tendency is growing at an alarming rate in the country.

Khwalala hails from Makhanyera village, which is in the area of Traditional Authority Mkhumba in Phalombe district.

Meanwhile, World Vision Malawi (WVM) project officer Grace Chiumia has hailed the court for the sentence, adding that it will deter other would-be offenders.

Source: Zodiak