By Benjamin Chisale
On wednesday the 14th of July, Mangochi Senior Resident Magistrate convicted and sentenced Joseph Razalo, 20, to 17 years imprisonment with hard for burglary and rape, contrary to Sections 132 and 309 of the Penal code respectively.
According to Mangochi Police Public Relations Officer,Sub inspector Amina Tepani Saudi confirmed that on the night of March 22,the accused broke into the house of a 21-year old woman when the owner was asleep.,as he was landing on the floor, he accidentally stepped on a chicken that woke the victim and she shouted for help.
Prosecutor Mchiswe of Namwera police station told the court that the accused surprisingly instead of escaping,he charged towards the victim and raped her while covering her mouth with his own hands.
The matter was reported at Masuku Police Unit where medical report form was issued and the results from Masuku Health Centre confirmed that she was raped.
Appearing in court the accused person pleaded not guilty to both charges leveled against him prompting the state to parade three witnesses who testified against him.
In mitigation Razalo asked for leniency saying that he is too young to go to prison but the state prayed for a custodial sentence while reminding the court that Razalo’s actions cannot go unpunished and the nature of the offences committed is serious.
When passing judgement , Senior Resident Magistrate Rodrick Michongwe expressed his concern over Razalo’s conduct.
He therefore sentenced him to 9 years in prison for the first count of burglary and 17 years imprisonment for the second count of rape and sentences to run concurrently.
Joseph Razalo, 20, hails from Mvero Village Traditional Authority Bwananyambi in Mangochi.