Court convicts pastor of rape

The Mangochi Senior Resident Magistrate Court on Friday convicted Pastor for Kapiri Living Waters Church in Mangochi, Edward Sankera, of raping an18 year old girl without her consent and thereafter revoked the bail the convict was granted.

Senior Resident Magistrate Rodrick Michongwe said the victim disclosed in the court during previous hearing that Sankera had sex with her four separate times last year as this was contrary to Section 133 of the Penal Code.

“Between March and April 2021, Sankera had sex with the victim at Kapile Village in Mangochi without her consent while his wife was attending overnight prayers and he threatened her never to reveal to anyone,” he said.

Michongwe said in the court that Prophet Gonda, a member of the Kapiri Living Waters Church also testified in court.

"Prophet Gonda said he approached the victim after noting that she looked unhappy and was not actively participating in the Church's praise team at the Kapiri Living Waters Church and this prompted the victim to disclose to him that Sankera had been having sex with her,” the Magistrate said, adding that it was Gonda that advised the victim to report the issue to the Church leadership.

According to Michongwe, the church later informed the victim's parents about the issue despite the other church members’ insistence that the issue be handled by the church.

The young woman was living with Sankera's family from February 2021 and returned to her parents August, 2021 when the rape issue was brought to light.

Sankera was later arrested by Mangochi Police and granted him court bail after denying the rape allegations.

However, Michongwe said that the state had proven beyond reasonable doubt that the accused had a case to answer.

He convicted Sankera of the rape charge and revoked the bail.

The State and Counsel for the accused are expected to make their submissions on the accused sentence within 10 days. 

The rape case will return to court on August 31, 2022 for the court's ruling.

Sankera comes from Manyowe area, in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Kuntaja in Blantyre. 

Japanese, Malawian Drown in Lake Chilwa

A 60-year-old Japanese national, Ichiro Imai and a Malawian John Juwawo, have on August 19, 2022 drowned in the waters of Lake Chilwa in Zomba.

According to Zomba Police Station Public Relations Officer (PRO), Patricia Sipiliano, it was reported that the late Japanese national was a fisheries sociologist and has been coming to Malawi periodically for studies where as Juwawo was a fisheries officer.

The two, on August 16, in company of other people went to Chinguma and Ngotangota fishing docks for their studies using a fisheries boat.

After their studies on August 19, the team opted to return where they encountered heavy winds that capsized their boat.

Efforts to rescue the team were done but the Japanese national was found dead while Juwawo is still missing. 

Meanwhile, the Marine Police officers and officers from fisheries have jointly instituted investigations on the missing individual. 

The body of Imai is currently at Zomba Central Hospital Mortuary.

MANGOCHI HERBALIST JAILED 10 YEARS FOR RAPING PATIENT

The Mangochi Senior Resident Magistrates Court on Tuesday sentenced Chiko Vasco, 70, to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour (IHL) for raping and impregnating a 30-year-old woman who came to seek medical attention.

Mangochi Police Station, Prosecutor Sub-Inspector, Maggie Chibulire told the court that in October 2021, the victim developed mental disorder after she had miscarried and was taken to him as a well-known traditional healer in Mangochi.

She told the court that the woman was treated for four months and that by April 2022, the woman was showing signs of recovery.

The convict informed her parents of their K80,000 bill.

But parents negotiated to pay the amount in installments, which angered Vasco who moved the victim to another location and declared her as his second wife.

“On July 13, 2022 the parents sourced the whole amount and went to take their daughter only to discover that she was pregnant and the victim revealed that he had been raping her and was responsible for the pregnancy,” Chibulire added.

Vasco pleaded guilty and admitted to the charge which prompted the state to convict him on his own plea of guilty.

Chibulire asked the court to give Vasco a stiffer punishment saying what he did was immoral and criminal and has dented the image of traditional healers.

In mitigation, Vasco pleaded with the court for leniency on account that he looks after his family and if given a stiffer penalty his family would suffer.

Senior Resident Magistrate, Rodrick Michongwe said Vasco took advantage of the victim’s vulnerability as such he must be given a stiffer punishment to serve as a lesson to other would-be offenders.

Michongwe sentenced Vasco who hails from Kadango Village in Traditional Authority (TA) Namabvi in the district to 10 years IHL.

Source: Mana

Woman Arrested for Killing daughter in Blantyre

Twenty four-year-old Mercy Banda has been arrested by police in Blantyre for allegedly killing her 7-year-old daughter, Dingile Banda.

It is reported that the suspect committed the offence on Saturday at Chilobwe Township in the city.

“The deceased developed skin cancer and the suspect went to a nearby pharmacy to buy medicine for her. On her return, it is alleged that she noticed unusual signs on the child who had her eyes protruding and swollen mouth,” says Blantyre Police Deputy Public Relations Officer, Aubrey Singanyama who adds that this angered the suspect, who slapped the deceased.

Singanyama says, upon being slapped, late Dingile fellow to the ground and became unconscious after having her neck also twisted by her mother.

“The suspect’s mother took the deceased to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital where she was pronounced dead upon arrival,” said the deputy PRO for Blantyre.

Police have since said the suspect will answer murder charges in court soon.

Mercy Banda hails from Khonyoni village in the area of Traditional Authority Kaphiri in Lilongwe.

Police nets 58 over various offences

Police in Limbe on 14 June 2022, placed in custody 58 suspected lawbreakers.

The suspects (identities withheld) were apprehended in a sweeping exercise conducted within Limbe policing area.

Public Relations Officer for Limbe Police Station, Inspector Patrick Mussa confirmed of the arrest.

“The suspects have been charged with offenses of found in possession of Cannabis sativa without permission, operating a bar without a license, and idle and disorderly.

“They will appear in court soon to answer charges leveled against them,” Mussa said.

Mussa further said the exercise is ongoing, aiming at suppressing criminal activities within Limbe policing area

Ex-convict arrested soon after release

Police in Mangochi have arrested ex-convict, Abdul Imani, 38, for defiling a 12-year-old girl barely a day after his release from a seven-year imprisonment for robbery, Malawi News Agency has learnt.

Mangochi Police Public Relations Officer, Sub Inspector Amina Tepani Daudi, confirmed the arrest of Imani, saying the ex-convict was released on June 9, 2022, but was later found on the wrong side of the law when he allegedly defiled the girl at Mpima Forest along the Peter Mutharika Highway in Mangochi on June 10.

The Mangochi Police publicist added that the girl was defiled on her way to a market to sell pumpkins when Imani stopped her in the guise of a customer and convinced the girl to follow him to his house, saying he would buy all the pumpkins.

“While passing through Mpima Forest, the suspect dragged the girl into the forest and defiled her despite screaming for help,” Daudi added.

She said passersby found the girl crying and reported the matter to Mangochi Police where the victim was issued with a referral letter to Mangochi District Hospital for medical examination that proved positive.

Sub Inspector Daudi added that police investigation was carried out and later the law enforcers arrested Imani who was identified by the victim.

Imani, who comes from Kalonga Village in Traditional Authority Mponda in Mangochi, has been charged with defilement contrary to Section 138 of the Penal Code and will appear before court soon.

Man electrocuted in BT

As vandalism cases of Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) properties are on the rise, a man in Blantyre (unidentified) has been electrocuted while trying to vandalize an ESCOM transformer.

According to Public Relations Officer for Limbe Police, Inspector Patrick Mussa, the initial findings revealed that the unknown man together with other accomplices went to vandalize the ESCOM transformer in Machinjiri Township, area 9, in the city.  

“It is alleged that while tampering with the same, he got electrocuted but his friends escaped.

“Police detectives visited the scene and found him in possession of spanners and screwdrivers,” Mussa said.

The man was later taken to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) where he was pronounced dead.

According to Mussa, the dead body is still at the hospital's mortuary pending identification and postmortem.

Police have since warned perpetrators against the vandalism of ESCOM transformers, as they will be tracked down and brought to book.

Chichiri prison escapee arrested

Police in Chikwawa are keeping in custody 25-year-old Charles Charlie who allegedly escaped from Chichiri prison.  

According to Police, he bolted from said facility in January this year, while serving a jail term for robbery.  

Charlie was arrested in the early hours of Sunday, June 5 2022 by Nkumaniza Police at his hiding place in Dzenje village near the Mozambique border.

Charlie, who in an interrogation, admitted the offense, will be taken to court for escaping from lawful custody.

Meanwhile, the Police have stated that communications with Chichiri prison have been made for identification.

Charlie hails from Kambelengende village, Traditional Authority Tengani in Nsanje.  

Ntchisi murder suspect dies in hospital

A man who was arrested in the wee hours of Tuesday morning for allegedly murdering his brother and wounding his parents has died while receiving treatment at Ntchisi District Hospital, a few hours after his arrest.

Ntchisi Police Spokesperson, Yohane Tasowana who identified the suspect as Edward Chatambalala, 41 said he was arrested for allegedly murdering his younger brother, Jericho Chatambalala, 24 at Chimtsekwa Village in Traditional Authority (TA) Chilooko’s area in the district.

“It is alleged that while on full intoxication of alcohol, Edward stabbed his young brother for no apparent reasons and after killing his younger brother, he stabbed both his parents,” he  said.

According to the Police Publicist, the suspect who was arrested around 2 am on Tuesday only spent about thirty minutes in Police cell before he was taken to Ntchisi District Hospital where he died a few hours later while receiving treatment.

“At the time of his arrest, his head was swollen and he had a wound,” Tasowana said.

He said Postmortem results indicate that the death was due to internal bleeding.

Man arrested for illegal mining

Police in Mulanje have arrested a 51-year-old man identified as Chisasa Tungamire for allegedly doing illegal mining in Mulanje.

Spokesperson for Mulanje Police, Sub-inspector Gresham Ngwira has confirmed the arrest saying a forest ranger found Tungamire with a bag of minerals. 

Ngwira further said the minerals which are believed to be Quartz are suspected to have been extracted from the mountain.

Meanwhile, the minerals are expected to be taken to the Geological Survey Department for examination.

19 students arrested at Mayani Seconday School

Police in Dedza are keeping in custody 19 students from Mayani Secondary school suspected to have  damaged school property.

Public Relations Officer for Dedza Police, sub-inspector Edward Kabango confirmed the arrest, saying the students have damaged 245 window panes and 60 chairs at the school.

Kabango added that 135 window panes at the Mayani Police unit have also been damaged by students.

The student’s protests started on Sunday night following the arrest of a 19-year-old Form III student at the school who was accused of raping a classmate aged 16. 

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19 year old student arrested for raping classmate 

“The students wanted to force the school authorities to initiate the release of their fellow student who was arrested for rape,” Kabango said.

 The school has since been closed until further notice following the violence.   

Chikwawa road accident kills 3

Three people have died in a road accident in Chikwawa following a carnage involving a minibus and a motorcycle.

Chikwawa Police Station Public Relations Officer, Sergeant Dickson Matemba said the three include the minibus driver identified as Mavuto Justin, 32 and motorcycle riders identified as Isaac Chimunthu Banda, aged 45 and Memory Kabango Chimunthu Banda who were husband and wife.

Matemba in an interview on Tuesday said the minibus registration number BX 8070 was coming from Nchalo heading towards Ngabu with ten passengers on board.

“The accident happened at around 7 pm on Monday at Kulima Village near Crown Plantations in Ngabu along the Blantyre-Chikwawa M1 Road.

“What happened is that, upon reaching Kulima Village, the minibus driver was overtaking a motor vehicle when it collided head-on with a Yamaha AG 200 registration number CK 1388 which was coming from the opposite direction,” he said.

Matemba said that upon the crash, motorbike riders sustained head injuries and were later pronounced dead upon reaching Ngabu Rural Hospital. 

Whereas the driver sustained jaw injury and later died while receiving treatment at Chikwawa District Hospital, according to Matemba.

He said the other ten passengers escaped with minor injuries.

Justin hailed from Ngalu Village in the area of Traditional Authority Ngabu in Chikwawa while the couple hailed from Nkhotakota District.

Man commits suicide over family issues

A 39-year-old man, Gibson Phiri of Mputa Village in the of Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe in Rumphi Tuesday committed suicide by hanging himself on allegations that his wife accused him of spending money on beer instead of supporting his family.

According to Rumphi Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), Sergeant Tupeliwe Kabwilo, the deceased
and his wife had been quarrelling over the issue for some time.

She said due to continuous misunderstandings between the two, the wife decided to leave the family and went to stay with her close by brother.

“Upon realising that the wife had escaped and left for her brother’s home, Phiri decided to commit suicide by hanging himself,” Kabwilo.

She said before hanging himself, Phiri left a note in his pocket stating that he killed himself over family matters.

Postmortem conducted at Rumphi District Hospital revealed that Phiri died due to suffocation. Police in Rumphi are advising people to refrain from terminating their lives whenever they face challenges but should seek guidance and counselling relatives, religious leaders and victim support units.
Phiri hailed from Wimbe Village in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Wimbe in Kasungu.

MUBAS student arrested for theft of laptop in Chitawira

Police in Blantyre are keeping in custody Lawrant Mbewe, a student at Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) for allegedly entering into a dwelling house where he stole a laptop computer.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency on Wednesday, Blantyre Police Public Relations Officer, Sub-Inspector Peter Mchiza said on March 28, 2022 at around 10:00 hours, Mbewe entered into a room of his fellow student Khwima Kayira who stays at Chitawira while the owner was away.
Mchiza said the suspect stole a laptop computer valued at K250,000 and sold it the same day at Blantyre Flea Market.
“The matter was reported to Soche Police and enquiries were instituted. The Investigations led to the arrest and successful recovery of the said stolen laptop,” he said
Mchiza said the suspect will be taken to court soon to answer charges of entering into a dwelling house and committing a felony which is contrary to Section 309 of the Penal Code.
Meanwhile, Police is appreciating the good working relationship with the public which is leading to effecting more arrests of criminals and recovery of stolen property.
Mbewe hails from Jimu Village in the area of Traditional Authority Mlonyeni in Mchinji District.
 

Sex worker found dead at a rest house in Mchinji

A 29- year-old sex worker, Veronica Solomoni, was found dead in her room at Gazebo Bottle Store in Mchinji on Thursday.

Solomoni went missing from January 5, 2022 until she was found in her room on Thursday, January 13, 2022, in a decomposed state,

Mchinji Police Station Officer, Charles Mpezeni, told Malawi News Agency (MANA) that Solomoni was working at Gazebo Bottle Store at Mchinji Trading Centre where she had her room to service men.

“Solomoni was last seen on 5th January and her co-workers thought she had travelled, but on 13th January, they discovered [that] a strong smell was coming from her room, and her body was found in a decomposed state.

“Beside her body was a screw driver and bed sheet was wrapped on her head. A postmortem done at Mchinji District Hospital revealed that Solomoni died due to suffocation secondary to wrapping of head with clothes,” Mpezeni explained.

He said the police suspect foul play and have since launched investigations.

Solomon hailed from Dama Village in Traditional Authority Dambe in Mchinji District.

Gule Wamkulu cult member arrested for sodomy

An 18-year-old boy has been arrested in Ntchisi District for allegedly sodomising a 10-year-old boy at a Gule Wamkulu initiation camp within the district.

Ntchisi Police Spokesperson, Sergeant Yohane Tasowana said the suspect, who he identified as Brino Daniel, is accused of sodomising the boy in August this year at the initiation camp at Chindewe Village in the district.

The boy did not disclose the ordeal to anyone as the suspect threatened to kill him if he did.

“It is alleged that Daniel took the boy from a place he was playing with a friend within the camp to a hidden place where he had carnal knowledge of him and promised to give him K200, which he did not,” said Tasowana.

He said the victim’s step father, upon noticing that his step son was having difficulties in walking, confronted him on October 29 this year when he revealed about the ordeal.

After checking him, he reportedly discovered that his anus was swollen.

Medical examination indicated that the victim had been infected with syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease.

Daniel, who hails from Chidaye Village in Traditional Authority Kalumo in the district, has since been charged with sodomy and will be appearing in court soon.

Man slapped 50 years for defiling stepdaughter

Zomba High Court has sentenced Mustafa Yunus, 31, to 50 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling his  9 years step daughter (name withheld).

According to the State prosecutor sub inspector Ezekiel Kalunga of Jali police station post that on 6th July, 2021, the victim was sent to  a certain market within the area to sale doughnuts and it was after few minutes later when she come back home to drink water.

While there she met her stepfather who dragged her inside house where she was defiled and threatened not to reveal it to anybody

“Later on her grandmother noticed some blood which was coming from her private parts and took her to Zomba central hospital where she revealed the issue to the doctor” said Kalunga.

The matter was then reported to Jali police station and the accused was arrested.

Appearing before court, Yunus pleaded not guilty to the charge levelled against him.
This prompted the state to parade four witnesses who testified against him to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt.

In his submission, Kalunga pleaded with the court for stiff sentence saying the accused had a responsibility to look after the victim, but chose to violate his responsibility,.
She added that defilement cases are becoming rampant in the country and offenders deserved hard punishment.
Passing the sentence, Justice Nzondi Mvula concurred with the state about the seriousness of offence and slapped Yunus with a 50 years jail term.
Yunus comes from Mapila Village, traditional Authority Mwambo in Zomba.

Man killed on railway line in Mwanza

A man identified as Chilembwe James 27 has been killed by a train registration number K543 which was traveling from Nayuchi (Malawi Mozambique border) going to Moatize in Mozambique at 8 O'clock in the morning of Friday.
A security escort team leader of G4S Wesley Phambala has told Malawi News Agency (Mana) that he saw the deceased seated with a friend on the railway line some metres ahead of the train which was traveling at 70 kilometres per hour.

"When train operator blew horn for warning the friend managed to ran away while James remained at the place of the accident," said Phambala.

When police from Mwanza station visited the scene of the accident they ordered relatives to carry home the remains of James which were in pieces to his home village for burial.

Chilembwe James was coming from Mofati village in Group Village Head Mulongolora in the area of traditional authority (TA) Inkosi Kanduku Maseko in Mwanza district.

Woman fined K200,000 over Chamba in Thyolo

Thyolo Third Grade Magistrate's court yesterday August 11 2021 ordered Dorica Mawindo, 28, to pay a fine of K 200,000 for being found in possession of Indian Hemp locally known as Chamba.

The offence is contrary to Regulation 19 (1) as read with Section 4 (a) of the Dangerous Drug Act.

During court proceedings, Thyolo Police Station Prosecution Assistant Superintendent  Andrew Jose told the court that on 9 August 2021 at around 0800 hours, Thyolo Police Officer arrested Mawindo at an Ad-hoc Roadblock at Conforzi Turnoff.

She was found possessing four black plastic bags of   Cannabis sativa in a Minibus which was coming from Limbe heading towards Thyolo Boma.

Jose further told the court that the hemp was seized as evidence and was taken to Bvumbwe Research Station for examination and  analysis where results indicated that the illicit drug weighed 9 Kilograms and contained Tetrahydrocannabinal to substance.

Appearing in court,the accused pleaded guilty to the charge leveled against her.

In mitigation, Mawindo asked for the Court's leniency, saying that she has a baby and was still breastfeeding but Prosecutor Jose asked the court for stiffer penalty citing that the illicit drug has contributed a lot of side effects especially to the youths in the country.

Third Grade Magistrate James Balakasi concurred with the state's call for stiffer penalty and he ordered the accused to pay a fine of k200,000 or  in default serve 12 months imprisonment with hard labour.

Meanwhile, Mawindo has paid the fine to escape the Jail term.

Mawindo hails from Nanseta Village Traditional Authority Nanseta,in Thyolo District.

Man fined K200,000 over Marijuana in Lumbadzi

The Senior Resident Magistrate's Court sitting at Mkukula has ordered Mabvuto Chuma, 47, to pay a fine of K200,000 for being found in possession of Indian Hemp contrary to Regulation 19(1) as read with Section 4(a) of the Dangerous Drug Act.

During court proceedings, Lumbadzi Police Station Prosecution Officer, Inspector Bodwin Msukwa told the court that on 4 August, 2021 at around 02 oclock Lumbadzi Police officers arrested Chuma at Chinkhuti Adhoc roadblock along Lilongwe - Kasungu M1 road for being found in possession of three big sucker bags, one travelling bag and eleven small black jumbos of Cannabis Sativa in a Suzuki Sorio motor vehicle registration number BZ 6062 he was driving.

Msukwa further told the court that the hemp was seized as evidence and was taken to Chitedze Research Station for Cannabis examination and analysis where results indicated that the illicit drug weighed 120 Kilograms and contained Tetrahydrocanabinal.

Appearing in court, the accused pleaded guilty to the charge leveled against him.

In mitigation, Chuma asked for court's leniency, saying that he is a breadwinner for his family but Prosecutor Msukwa asked the court for stiffer penalty citing that the illicit drug has contributed alot of side effects especially to the youths in the country.

Senior Resident Magistrate Cecelia Onsewa concurred with the state's call for a stiff penalty and she ordered the accused to pay a fine of K200,000.

Meanwhile, Chuma has paid the fine to escape the jail term.

Chuma hails from Malenga 2 village, Traditional Authority Kalumo in Ntchisi.