The Lilongwe Magistrate Court, presided over by Magistrate Bracious Kondowe, has sentenced a 28-year-old man, Nasoni Moyenda, to 20 years in prison after he was found guilty of raping a 10-year-old girl.

According to Lilongwe Police spokesperson Hastings Chigalu, the incident occurred on December 23, 2024, at a church in Chiuzira. Moyenda lured the girl into a toilet, where he committed the crime.

The prosecutor, Eugenio Yotamu, informed the court that after the act, Moyenda gave the girl K500 and told her to remain silent.

During the trial, Moyenda admitted to the crime but pleaded with the court for leniency. He claimed that a traditional healer had advised him to sleep with a virgin as a way to gain wealth.

Magistrate Kondowe dismissed his plea and emphasized the seriousness of the offense, stating that such acts not only harm the victim but also leave lasting psychological and physical scars. The court handed down the 20-year sentence to serve as a deterrent to others.

The ruling has been widely welcomed as a step toward protecting children and addressing gender-based violence in the country.