By Staff Writer:
The First Grade Magistrate’s Court sitting at Santhe in Kasungu on Wednesday September 14, 2022 convicted and sentenced a 26-year-old man, Geoffrey Kwenda, to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour for attempting to rape a 17 year-old girl.
According to Kasungu Police Station Public Relations Officer, Sub Inspetor Joseph Kachikho, the court through police prosecutor Sub Inspector Ulemu Botha, heard that on September 5, 2021 around 0900 hours, the victim went to a nearby river to wash clothes and kitchen utensils and the convict came asking for a cup to drink water after that he started advancing to the girl.
“The court further learnt that the victim sensed some danger and started running away and the convict chased her until he caught her and tried to force himself into the victim, who screamed for help, prompting people to come to her rescue.
“The convict was immediately apprehended and handed over to the police.
“Appearing before court, the convict pleaded not guilty to the charge of attempted rape. This prompted the state to parade three witnesses to prove the case,” he said
In his submission, said Kachikho, police prosecutor prayed for a custodial sentence , saying that such cases are on increase in Kasungu as well as the whole country and such that the perpetrators’ behaviour cause trauma to their victims.
“In his mitigation Kwenda appealed to the court for forgiveness because he has a big family obligation and was also taking care of her sick grandmother,” he said
Passing sentence, First Grade Magistrate Jones Masula concurred with the police prosecutor hence sentenced him to 10 years jail term to deter would-be offenders.
Kwenda comes from Nyemba Village in Traditional Authority Chidzuma in Kasungu District.
