21/10/2025
The Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court at Phalula in Balaka District has convicted and sentenced a 36-year-old man to 21 years Imprisonment with Hard Labour (IHL) for defiling his step daughter.
Balaka Police Station Publicist, Gladson M’bumpha, says the man committed the offence between June 2021 and June 2025 in the district.
According to M’bumpha, the convict repeatedly had sexual in*******se with the girl, which led to her pregnancy, and he also issued death threats to the victim and her family if they dared to disclose the matter to the public.
State Prosecutor, Shadreck Likhala, asked the court for a stiff punishment to send a strong warning to would-be offenders.
Senior Resident Magistrate, Joshua Nkhono, concurred with the state’s submission, saying such conduct destroys the lives of young girls and undermines public trust in parental responsibility.
He, therefore, sentenced Watson to 21 years IHL.
Reported by Andrew Phiri