Nkhotakota First Grade Magistrate (FGM) court convicted and sentenced Group Village Headman (GVH) Chioza to 13 years imprisonment with hard labour (IHL) for defiling a minor.
The verdict comes barely days after Chief Chioza whose real names are Mussa Sabiti, 48, got arrested on allegation of defiling an-8-year-old-girl.
According to the state prosecutor Sub Inspector Cedrick Cosmas told the court that, GVH Chioza, enticed the victim with K 150 before defiling her in an abandoned house. He then threatened the victim not to reveal to anyone about her ordeal.
Days later, elders upon noticing the girl’s difficulties in walking, questioned the victim and she disclosed everything.
The police immediately arrested Chioza upon receipt of the case.
In mitigation, Chioza asked for leniency for being the first offender and expressed remorsefulness before accusing Satan for the act.
However, Cosmas pleaded with the court for a stiffer punishment considering that only this month, Nkhotakota has registered five cases of defilement.
He also said, chiefs are supposed to take good care of their subjects including the girl child and doing such a barbaric act is contrary to what is expected from them.
Cosmas further reminded the court of the victim who is only 8 years and considering her psychological torture among other factors.
In his ruling First Grade Magistrate Fred Juma Chilowetsa, while echoing the state’s plea, said cases of defilement have increased in the district.
He further observed that chiefs have authority to summon their subjects and find solutions to end such malpractices but it is the very same people in authority who are perpetrating the vices.
Chilowetsa then slapped GVH Chioza with 13-years IHL to deter the would be offenders.
The convict hails from Chioza village in the area of Senior Chief Mwadzama in Nkhotakota district.
