Malawi Catholic Priest sexually assaults minor, arrested

A 44-year-old Catholic priest, Father Francis Ngalande is currently under police custody for allegedly defiling a 16-year-old girl.

Ngalande, a priest at Mpherere Catholic in Ntchisi district, is a benefactor to the victim (name withheld) and committed the offence on Friday last week at Kasungu Council Rest House, police have confirmed.

According to police on Friday 30 September, Father Ngalande had called the victim- a form two student- claiming he had found a new school for her, and arranged to meet.

The two met at Kasese Bus depot and left for Kasungu; he later on asked the victim to book a room at Kasungu Council Rest House where he defiled her.

The victim revealed of the ordeal to her parents after returning home the following day. The matter was reported to police who swiftly arrested Father Ngalande.

A medical report confirms that the girl was indeed defiled.

Father Ngalande is expected to pressed on the charge of Defilement contrary to Section 138 of the Penal Code.