Seven years for defiling three girls

The Phalombe First Grade Magistrate Court on Friday convicted and sentenced 69-year-old Learnard Mvula to seven years Imprisonment with Hard Labour (IHL) for defiling three girls in a row.

Magistrate Felix Mandala heard that the three girls met their fate when they went to draw water at a tap located at Mvula’s house on 21 November last year. When the accused saw the girls aged between 10 and 11 years, he invited them into his house, and gave them pawpaws to eat.

“As the girls were eating, he started calling one girl at a time into his bedroom, where he undressed and subsequently defiled each of the girls. He later gave them K20 each and asked them not to disclose this to anyone,” said Phalombe Police spokesperson, Sergeant Augustus Nkhwazi on Friday.

Nkhwazi said, however, that, due to the pain the victims were experiencing, they narrated the ordeal to their parents who, in turn, reported the incident to Chiringa Police Unit.

Passing the sentence, Mandala chastened Mvula for his “shameful” conduct “considering your age”. He also bemoaned increased cases of defilement in the district and sentenced the accused to seven years, six months IHL.

Mvula hails from Nagoli Village in the area of Traditional Authority (T/A) Nkhulambe in the district.

In a related development, Mandala also convicted and sentenced 45-year-old Onasi Bisani to six years IHL for defiling his 11-year-old niece.

The court heard that Bisani, who comes from Zadwaza Village, T/A Jenala in Phalombe, defiled the girl when she paid him a visit on 29 November 2011.

“The victim went to see her grandfather (Bisani) at around 7 o’clock in the evening. The accused sent the girl on an errand and, as she was on her way, he followed her, grabbed her and forced the young girl into having sex with him,” Nkhwazi said.

The girl reported the incident to her mother who, in turn, alerted officers at Chitekesa Police Unit.

A medical report from Phalombe Health Centre confirmed that the girl was defilement.

Passing sentence, Mandala said Bisani deserved stiffer punishment and sentenced him to six years IHL.