Jenda Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court in Mzimba on Wednesday convicted and sentenced a 27 years old Cornelius Chavula, to serve a 11 year jail term for defiling a 14 year old girl.
State Prosecutor Sergeant Reveland Gondwe told the court that the convict defiled the minor from November, 2020 to January, 2021. He threatened the victim not to tell anyone and gave her K500.
After sometime, the victim’s mother noticed some changes on her and asked what was wrong and the victim disclosed the ordeal. She was taken to the hospital where she was found pregnant.
In Court Gondwe pleaded not guilty to a defilement charge which prompted the state to parade four witnesses who proved the case beyond reasonable doubts.
The state prosecutor prayed for stiffer punishment saying the cases are rampant in the district. He further told the court that despite many awareness campaigns to end the malpractice people like Gondwe are not heeding to such calls.
In mitigation Gondwe asked for leniency saying he is the breadwinner and he takes care of his old parents.
Passing sentence Senior Resident Magistrate Matthew Msiska concurred with the State and disregarded Gondwe’s mitigation.
“Had it been you knew your problems, you would have avoided committing the offence,” said Msiska.
He therefore slapped him with a 11 years imprisonment with hard labour to deter other would be offenders.
Cornelius Chavula hails from Mamauza village in the area of Traditional Authority (T/A) Mzikubola in Mzimba District.
Visit us on