Malawi child trafficker gets two years prison: Magistrate Viva Nyimba opts for custodial sentence

Child trafficker Mateyu Sali Kuchepa, 40, who was convicted by Blantyre Magistrate Court has been sentenced to two years imprisonment for each of the nine counts of child trafficking which he was answering.

Senior resident magistrate Viva Nyimba ruled that Kuchepa will serve the sentence concurrently because the offences were committed as part of the same transaction.

However, lawyer representing Kuchepa, Yasini Domasi of YD Attorney, has indicated an interest to lodge an appeal at the High Cpurt against the sentencing.

Kuchepa was answering nine counts of child trafficking following his arrest at Wenela Bus Depot in Blantyre last month after Blantyre Police arrested him as he was trying to take 21 children fromMozambique to work in tobacco estates in Mangochi.

Magistrate Nyimba pointed out that according to Section 79 of the Child Care Protection and Justice Act, a person who takes part in any transaction the object or one of the objects of which is child trafficking commits an offence and shall be liable to imprisonment for life.

He said for the purpose of the section, child trafficking means the recruitment, transaction, transfer, harbouring or receipt of a child for purposes of exploitation and the nine children, in their testimony to the court, alleged that the convict took part in recruiting and transferring them through a vehicle from Chinyama to Chinakanaka by way of a minibus from Chinakanaka to Wenela Bus Depot.

Kuchepa was arrested at Wenela Bus Depot in Blantyre on July 29 2015.

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Zanga Phee!
Zanga Phee!
8 years ago

Yoh! Malawi Law Society i need your intervention on this sentence please,suppose they managed with their mission how much could they raise,Now two years does it tally with that money they could have after accomplished the mnission? please men Even the lawyer himself if it was his Son or daughter could he be happy with that sentence? meaning they are going to vote also next elections these kidnappers they don’t have a problem though. Malawi watch yourself you are ashamed your citizen in SADC region ,This is kind of fueling the conduct why not charge them with 20 years and… Read more »

Ochima
Ochima
8 years ago

Mwina Wamenyerako Kangachepe. Inu Mukuona Bwanji Pamenepa? Tizamepo Apa.

Obvious Phiri
Obvious Phiri
8 years ago

I agree with Nabetha and Likoma Economist. Most of our sentencing would be comedic weren’t it so sad and shameful. Two years isn’t only a a cruel joke but also doesn’t serve as a deterrent at all.

Two years for slave traders! Tsk. Tsk.

Like Likoma Economist has said, we mete out harsh punishment on issues that shouldn’t be any of our business in the first place but leave pedophiles who rape 2 year olds to suffer minor inconveniences of a couple of years or so.

Nabetha
Nabetha
8 years ago

Human trafficking is similar to slavery and it has to be dealt with accordingly. Why is it that everything that we do in Malawi gives very little sense if not all? Trafficking 21 children and you get away with 2 years only? Some other people are serving 15 years for just stealing a chicken. Stealing a chicken is a petty crime that deserves a suspended sentence but human and drug trafficking require a stiffer sentence koma pa Malawi amafuna kupotoza chili chonse. Cry my beloved country.

Bristol
8 years ago

Custodian sentence is quite befitting this guy to make sure he gets reformed.

Likoma Economist
Likoma Economist
8 years ago

I do not get it. Two male or female adults who mutually agree do “the wrong thing” in the privacy of their homes are given 14yrs. A criminal who sales innocent children into slavery and prostitution gets 2yrs. Are we really serious about child trafficking?

sain it like it is
sain it like it is
8 years ago

hahhahahahaha how stupid are malawian courts?this is the worst rulling after cash gate really

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