The Lilongwe Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court on Friday July 29, 2022 convicted and sentenced a 42-year-old man, Stewart Kalungama, to 21 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling his 9 -year- old step-daughter.
The court through state prosecutors, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Mrs Cecilia Zangazanga, from National Police Headquarters and Sub Inspector Humphreys Makhaliha of Kawale Police station, heard that the convict married the mother of the victim and took the responsibility as a father to the victim.
However in 2021, Kalungama started coaxing the young girl by inviting her to the bed room whenever the mother was out for work. He had time to watch pornographic video clips with the girl and instructed her to practice with him what she watched.
As this became a culture, in the month of March, 2021 Kalungama kept doing the same thing and instructed the girl never to tell her mother. However, the victim got tired of it then alerted the mother and housemaid.
The mother reported the matter to Kawale Police Station where officers issued the victim with a hospital referral letter. The results came out positively, indicating multiple defilement.
Appearing in court, the convict pleaded not guilty to the charge of defilement. This prompted the state to parade five witnesses who testified against him.
In mitigation, the convict pleaded for leniency, saying he has a big family responsibility.
In submission, the state prayed for a stiffer punishment, saying that being the father, it was his responsibility to take good care of the victim. The state said instead of being responsible, the convict deliberately defiled her, causing a lifetime trauma to the victim.
Passing the sentence, SRM Patrick Chirwa concurred with the state’s submission hence sentenced Kalungama to 21 years jail term.
Kalungama comes from Chimanazo Village in Traditional Authority Chitseka in Lilongwe District.
Sub Inspetor Mabvuto Phiri
PRO-Kawale Police Station.
Cell: *0995873467/0884240149
*Email: phiripreciousmabvuto@gmail.com*
www.police.gov.mw