Katete man jailed 40 years for defilement, infecting girl 9
By a Correspondent
A 39-YEAR-OLD man of Katete District in Eastern Province, has been sentenced to 40 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling a nine-year-old girl and infecting her with syphilis.
George Mbewe was sentenced by the Chipata High Court after appearing for sentencing before Judge Charles Kafunda.
During mitigation, defence lawyer Blessed Mbewe from the Legal Aid Board, pleaded for leniency, stating that the convict was a first offender who deeply regretted his actions.
But Judge Kafunda noted that the offence was particularly grave, as Mbewe had defiled a girl under his guardianship, betraying her trust and exposing her to a serious sexually transmitted disease (STD).
Judge Kafunda said the 40-year jail sentence served as a warning that any betrayal of trust by guardians would be met with severe punishment.
In a separate case before the same court, a 41-year-old man of Lundazi District was sentenced to 35 years imprisonment with hard labour for indecently assaulting his 14-year-old biological daughter.
The court heard that convict had applied traditional medicine to his daughter’s body, claiming it was a standard cultural practice during puberty.
Judge Kafunda dismissed the explanation, calling the act unacceptable and criminal.
