Man to spend 18 years in jail for having intercourse with 12-year-old girl in Karonga
Published on May 21, 2026 at 3:15 PM by Edgar Naitha
The Karonga Magistrate Court has convicted and sentenced 52-year-old Fernado Nyondo to 18 years imprisonment with hard labour for having sexual intercourse with a 12-year-old girl at Mwandenga village in the district.
The court heard from State Prosecutor Dirk Maere of Kapolo Police Post that around mid-April, the accused went to the survivor’s home to charge his mobile phone where he sexually violated her.
He then threatened to kill her if she disclosed the incident to anyone.
The matter remained hidden until one week later, when the survivor’s mother noticed that the girl had wet her bed and that the beddings contained blood stains. After the confrontation, the girl explained the entire ordeal.
The matter was reported to Kapolo Police Post, leading to the immediate arrest of the suspect who pleaded not guilty to the charge.
In his submission, Prosecutor Maere prayed for a stiffer punishment, stating that the offence is serious in nature and attracts a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Senior Resident Magistrate Ephraim Chikwakwa concurred with the state and sentenced Fernado Nyondo to 18 years imprisonment with hard labour for having sexual intercourse with a minor, contrary to Section 138 of the Penal Code.
