Man Gets 12 Years Imprisonment for Defiling Two Stepdaughters in Nkhotakota
Published on July 3, 2026 at 11:45 AM by Evance Kapito
The Nkhunga First Grade Magistrate’s Court has sentenced a 56 year old man, Francis Mwale, to 12 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling his two stepdaughters, aged 7 and 10, in the Dwangwa area.
State Prosecutor Mussa Samuteni told the court that Mwale committed the offences in April this year. The prosecution further revealed that as a result of the sexual assaults, the convict infected both young girls with sexually transmitted infections.
In mitigation, Mwale pleaded with the court for a lenient sentence, arguing that he is the sole breadwinner for a large family consisting of three wives and 11 children who entirely depend on him for survival.
However, presiding Magistrate Kingsley Buleya rejected the plea. Magistrate Buleya concurred with the state regarding the egregious nature of the crime, particularly the breach of trust as a stepfather and the health complications inflicted on the young victims.
The landmark ruling comes at a time when Nkhotakota District has registered a deeply concerning surge in child abuse cases, with law enforcement records indicating that 32 men have already been arrested for defiling minors under the age of 18 between January and June this year alone.
