Man jailed 14 years for having sexual intercourse with a minor
The First Grade Magistrate’s court sitting in Mzimba district on February 12, 2024, convicted and sentenced a 48-year-old Man, Sitimizi Banda, to 14 years imprisonment with hard labour for having sexual intercourse with a child at Embangweni in the district.
Presenting the facts in court, the state Prosecutor Sub Inspector John Mkandawire said Banda forced himself on a 12-year-old girl as she was coming from the farm on January 1, 2024.
He told the court that Banda took the minor into a nearby bush as she was waiting for her two friends who had branched off to relieve themselves. He also offered the girl K200 to shut her up.
Appearing before court, Banda pleaded guilty to the offence. He asked the court for leniency stating that he is the bread winner for his family and if convicted his family will suffer.
Mkandawire, however, asked for a stiffer punishment bearing in mind that the convict was well aware of what he was doing. He further said the girl is too young, at 12 she has suffered psychological trauma and she will not be able to patronise well with her friends in school being a standard five leaner.
In passing the sentence, Magistrate Redson Gamaliel concurred with the state and slapped Banda with 14 years’ imprisonment with hard labour for having sexual intercourse with a child contrary to section 138 of the penal code.
Banda hails from Mafanaizo Saka village, Traditional Authority Mzukuzuku in Mzimba district.
