10 years in jail for attempting rape in Kasungu

By Lucky Millias

The First Grade Magistrate’s Court at Santhe in Kasungu District on Wednesday September 14, 2022 convicted and sentenced a 26 year old man Godffrey Kwenda to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour for attempting to rape a 17 year old girl.

The court through police prosecutor Sub Inspector Ulemu Botha heard that on 5 September 2021 around 09:00 in the morning the victim went to a nearby river to wash clothes and kitchen utensils and Kwenda came and asking for a cup to drink water before he started advancing to the girl.

The court further learnt that the victim sensed some danger and started running away and the convict chased her until he caught her and tried to force himself into the victim who screamed for help, prompting people to come to rescue her.

The convict was immediately apprehended and handed over to police.

Appearing before court, the convict pleaded not guilty to the charge of attempted to rape which prompted the state to parade three witnesses to prove the case.

In his submission, police prosecutor prayed for a custodian sentence, saying that such cases are on the rise in Kasungu as well as the whole country and such that the prepetrators’ cause trauma to their victims.

In his mitigation Kwenda applealed to the court for forgiveness because he has big family obligation and he was also taking care of her sick grandmother.

Passing sentence, First Grade magistrate Jones Masula,concurred with the police prosecutor hence sentenced him to 10 years jail term to deter be offenders.

Kwenda comes from Nyemba village in Traditional Authority Chidzuma in Kasungu District.