Mchinji Court Slapped Pastor 10 Years For Sleeping With 3 Prayer Seekers

The Mchinji Magistrate Court has sentenced Esau Daison Kachinga, a pastor at Life Changers Church, to ten (10) years in prison after he was found guilty of forcibly sexually assaulting three women who had gone to his home to pray for their detained husbands.

One of the victims stated that they visited the pastor’s home on the evening of 17 September 2025 to pray for their husbands, who were being held in a prison in Chipata, Zambia, with the hope of securing their release. The women reported that they were asked to bring an unopened bottle of water and, upon arrival, were taken to a room where they were assaulted under the pretext that it was part of the prayer ritual.

During the court proceedings, Kachinga denied all charges against him, prompting the court to call three witnesses. In the end, the court found him guilty, and he apologized.

Delivering the judgment, Magistrate Godfrey Nyirenda expressed deep shock and disappointment that the pastor, who is expected to support and protect victims of abuse, attempted to bribe the victims with K150,000 to drop the case. The victims refused and reported the matter to the organization Women Empowerment for Change, which helped ensure justice was served.

Nyirenda further stated that Kachinga’s conduct violated Sections 132 and 133 of the criminal procedure laws and warranted a severe punishment. The court emphasized that the ten-year prison sentence serves as a warning to other men with similar intentions and as protection for women facing abuse in different communities.

Officials from the Mchinji Department of Social Welfare welcomed the outcome, expressing satisfaction with the resolution of the case.

Esau Kachinga hails from Bazilio Village in Mchinji.