A Senior Resident Magistrate Court in Limbe on Monday convicted and sentenced Foster Mathewe Saidi, 25, to 18 years Imprisonment with Hard Labour (IHL) for having sexual intercourse with a six-year-old girl.
State Prosecutor, Sub Inspector, Jessie Mombe told the court that, Saidi on June 21, at around 20:00 hours lured the child into his house under false pretence of sharing some relish with her as she was having supper.
The court further heard that Saidi perpetrated the crime when the girl entered his house.
Mombe said the victim’s mother reported the incident to Nkolokoti Police Unit after noticing her daughter’s distress and difficulties in walking.
The State Prosecutor further told the court that medical reports from Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital confirmed that the girl was sexually assaulted.
Saidi pleaded guilty and in mitigation expressed remorse, asking for a lenient sentence.
However, Prosecutor Mombe asked the court to grant Saidi a stiffer sentence to stop him and would be offenders from committing such offences considering the psychological impact on the victim.
Considering all the facts in the case, Senior Resident Magistrate Ackia Mwanyongo sentenced Saidi to 18 years’ jail term.
Saidi comes from Mkawela Village, Senior Chief Inkosi Bvumbwe in Thyolo District.
