The Chiradzulu First Grade Magistrate’s Court on Monday, January 18, 2022 convicted and sentenced Rajab Alidi, 38, to ten years imprisonment with hard labour for raping his 17-year old step-daughter.
This is contrary to Section 133 of the Penal code.
State prosecutor Inspector Spenard Chankoma heard that, the victim’s mother and relatives discovered that the victim had changed her behaviour and her husband was blocking what ever opportunity came in the house for the girl claiming that the girl was misbehaving.
This prompted the mother and relatives to question the daughter who later revealed that her stepfather had been raping her for three times since October to December 2021 and had been threatening her not to reveal the ordeal.
The case was then reported to Namitambo Police unit.
The prosecutor further said police refered the victim to Namitambo Health Center for medical assistance.
He added the medical results from the hospital confirmed that the girl had been raped.
Appearing in court, Alidi pleaded not guilty to the charge of rape prompting the state to parade three witnesses who testified against him.
In mitigation, he asked for the court’s leniency, saying he is the first offender but Mkwapatira quashed the mitigation factor saying that such cases are on the increase, endangering a girl child in the district.
Passing judgement, First Grade Magistrate Lameck Mkwapatira concurred with the state, hence the 10 year sentence to serve as a lesson to other would be offenders.
Alidi comes from Kwitanda Village Traditional Authority Nsamala in Balaka District.
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