Balaka sexual offences: Father gets 6 years jail term for defiling step daughter

The Balaka First Grade Magistrate in Malawi’s eastern district of Balaka has sentenced a 40 year old man to 6 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling his 6 year-old-step daughter.

Police Prosecutor Constable Christopher Nyirongo told the court that the suspect Isaac Mphepo defiled his 6 year old step daughter , on the night of 11^th to 12^th August, 2014 at Senzani village in Ntcheu district which is contrary to section 138(1) of the Penal code.

“The incident happened at his home after the victim was left alone with the suspect; and after this the victim reported the incident to her mother who kept quiet for fear of ending her marriage if the husband gets arrested.

“But when the victim went to her aunt who she stays with, she revealed to have been defiled on two different occasions by her step-father and the incident was later reported to Police who arrested the suspect.”

The suspect Issac Mphepo pleaded not guilty to the offence of defilement and this made the state to parade five witnesses including the investigator Detective Sub Inspector Funny Mchenga and the medical practitioner.

Upon hearing the evidence, the court found the suspect Isaac Mphepo with a case to answer and the suspect decided to defend himself which he did but First Grade Magistrate Damson Banda found him guilty and consequently convicted him.

Passing judgement, First Grade Magistrate Damson Banda said the case committed is serious in nature and that it’s unfortunate that even parents are becoming a threat to their own children.

Banda also wondered as to where the girl child will be safe if parents who are supposed to provide total security are becoming a threat. He therefore said he has given him such a sentence so that it should be a lesson to him and would be offenders.

Isaac Mphepo, comes from Mfulanjovu village, Traditional Authority Chanthunya in Balaka district.

In a related development, the same Balaka First Grade Magistrate court has sentenced a 25-year-old man Ibra Mwamadi to 84 months imprisonment with hard labour for defiling a 13 year old girl.

The suspect was arrested by members of the community after the victim cried for help and medical report obtained at Ulongwe Health Centre proved that the girl was really defiled.