Mbomba First Grade Magistrate Court in Ntchisi on February 7, 2024, convicted and sentenced Lemekezani Wilisi, 19, for raping a 74 year old granny.
The court heard through prosecutor Sergeant Virginia Kasiya that the victim on December 6, 2023, went to fetch firewood at a nearby forest. Whilst there, the convict emerged from nowhere, grabbed and raped the old woman.
Appearing in Court Wilisi pleaded not guilty prompting the state to parade three witnesses who proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.
In her submission, the state pleaded with the court for a stiffer punishment saying the crime committed is aggravated in nature considering the age of the victim and giving him maximum sentence will deter other the would be offenders.
In mitigation, Lemekezani pleaded with the court for leniency cited that he is too young to be jailed.
Passing sentence, First Grade Magistrate Damiano Banda concurred with the state that the convict’s behavior cannot be tolerated to the society hence slapped him with 11 years imprisonment with hard labour.
Lemekezani Wilisi, hails from Malenga village in Traditional Authority Malenga in Ntchisi.
About the Author
The Author is Public Relations Officer for Ntchisi Police Station