Malawi  teacher jailed 18 years for sexually abusing teenage pupil: Lengthy jail ‘clearly necessary and proportionate’

Deputy head teacher at Chamalaza FP School in Nkhatabay District who had sex with a 14-year-old pupil  has been slapped with 18-year jail term by Mzuzu Chief Resident Magistrate Court.

The incident occurred in December 2014 at Chamalaza FP School in Nkhatabay where the girl was safe boarding.

State Prosecutor Lyson Kachikondo told the court on the  fateful day the girl was called by the convict into the house when she was coming from the bathroom .He had unconseting sex` with her and threatened to kill her if she could reveal this to anyone.

The victim remained quite until on 10 July 2014 when she felt serious pains and developed sores on her private part. She narrated the whole story to her mother.

When the matter was reported to Police, the girl was  referred to hospital where defilement was confirmed.

The court found him guilty and convict said nothing during mitigation.

In his ruling Chief Resident Magistrate Texas Masoaphambe said the courts should be vigilant in protecting a girl child by giving stiff punishment to offenders.

He said though the convict is a first offender what he did was dangerous and he has to be punished accordingly, saying the  lengthy jail ‘clearly necessary and proportionate’ .

The Magistrate said it was sad that the convict saw a woman in his pupil instead of looking for sizeable women out there.

The court said by giving her sexual transmitted infection the girl will live with the trauma for the rest of her life therefore serving a jail term of 18 years suits his character.

The convict Albert Zunda 49 years of age hails from Chitungulu village,T/A Katumbi in Rumphi.