SELF-ACCLAIMED PROPHET CHARGED FOR DEFILEMENT
The magistrate court in Chikwawa has convicted a self-aclaimed prophet, Mphatso Ndaona on charges of defilement which he was answering.
The court heard that Ndaona was sleeping with various teen girls in the name of spiritually healing and exorcising them.
It is reported that he was defiling the girls at his home in Mpama village in the senior chief Makhwira where he was conducting his prayers.
The police learnt about the malpractice through some well-wishers who tipped them about what the prophet was doing with young female members of his church.
Speaking before passing the verdict, first grade magistrate Gladson Chirundu said that the case committed by Ndaona is a serious one and deserves a stiffer punishment of more than 14 years imprisonment.
He however said that the issue is supposed to be handled by a higher court. “As the first grade magistrate, our jurisdiction is to sentence the culprit to a maximum of 14 years but looking at the offence, the convict is liable for more than 20 years imprisonment with hard labour, therefore we have referred the matter to the Blantyre magistrate court for sentencing." He said.
Recently, minister of gender and social welfare Patricia Kaliati bemoaned the increase of defilement cases in the country. Saying it is worrisome that while government is busy fighting for the rights of young girls, some are still indulged in the malpractice. “We are very concerned with the increase of defilement cases in the country, young girls are being violated and their futures are twisted with such kind of practices". The minister has therefore pleaded with the community leaders to stand with the government in fighting against sexual abuse to young girls.
Since January to
August 2021 Chikwawa Magistrate court has recorded almost 36 cases of sexual
abuse to young girls.
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