The Senior Resident Magistrate Court sitting in Lilongwe has on July12, 2021 sentenced Sinola Gwedeza, 52, to 21 years imprisonment with hard labor for defilement which is contrary to section 138 of the penal code.
The court heard through state prosecutor, Sub Inspector Humphreys Makhaliha of Kawale Police Station that between the month of June and July 2020 the convict defiled 5 girls of the age range of 9 -11 years .
Further the court was told that the convict was inviting the young girls to work for him some household chores in the absence of his wife. He could then invite the girls inside the house and defiled them one after the other and gave them fifty kwacha (K50 ) each to silence them.
Appearing in court Gwedeza pleaded not guilty to the charge leveled against him which prompted the state to parade nine (9) witnesses who proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.
During submission, Makhaliha pleaded with the court for a stiffer punishment that should serve as a lesson to other would -be offenders.
In his mitigation the convict asked for court’s leniency stating that he is the first offender and a breadwinner.
Passing judgement, Senior Resident Magistrate Shyreen Yona Chirwa concurred with the state and sentenced him 21 years IHL saying that this should serve as a lesson to him and others.
Gwedeza hails from Puteni Village in the area of Traditional Authority Thomas in Thyolo District.
By Sergeant Mabvuto Phiri
PRO -Kawale Police Station
Cell 0995873467