Mangochi First Grade Magistrate’s court on Friday February 5, 2021 convicted and sentenced Dickson Monjeza, 26, to 120 months imprisonment with hard labour for defiling a 15-year-old girl.
Presenting facts in court, Chimwala Police Unit Prosecution ln-charge, Sub Inspector Valens Reid Banda, told the court that in the month of January 2021, the victim’s mother noticed some changes on her child’s appearance and decided to find out more.
After being confronted, the victim admitted to be pregnant and mentioned Monjeza to be responsible for it.
She also revealed that Monjeza has been defiling her since 2020.
The matter was reported at Chimwala Police Unit where medical form was issued. Medical results from Ukalanga Heath Centre revealed that the young girl is 3 months old pregnant.
Appearing in court, Monjeza pleaded not guilty, this prompted the state to parade three witnesses who testified against him.
In mitigation, he asked for court’s leniency saying he is a breadwinner but the state quashed his appeal, saying such cases are on the increase despite government and stakeholders relentlessly working towards uplifting rights of the girl child.
Passing judgement, Magistrate Roy Kakutu concurred with the state about the seriousness of the offence, hence the sentence to serve as a lesson to him and other would-be offenders.
Monjeza hails from Manjomo village in the area of Traditional Authority Kadewere in Chiradzulu district.
Sub Inspector Amina Tepani Daudi
Deputy PRO
Mangochi Police Station
Cell:0999-706-525
Email:mamateps1152@gmail.com