BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Mangochi Senior Resident Magistrate Rodrick Michongwe has jailed Living Waters Church pastor Edward Samkera to seven years for being found guilty on rape charges
According to State prosecutor Amos Mwase, the court heard that the convict Samkera aged 32 who was for so long, a pastor for Living Waters Church at Chilipa in Mangochi raped an 18-year old girl under his custody until she got tired and narrated her ordeal.
State prosecutor, Mwase told the Mangochi Senior Resident Magistrate that the convict and his wife asked the victim’s parents to allow her to be staying with them at their house.
“Few months later, as the victim returned from drawing water one day, the convict hugged and caressed her from the back and warned her not to reveal. The convict’s nasty behaviour escalated and he started visiting the victim’s bedroom where he raped her several times during day and night hours,” explained Mwase.
Tired of abuse, the girl narrated the ordeal to a prophet of the same church who reported the matter to Chilipa Police Unit. Results from Chilipa Health Centre confirmed that the victim was being raped.
Samkera pleaded not guilty to the charge prompting the state to parade five witnesses who proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.
In mitigation, the pastor asked for the court’s leniency; saying he is a breadwinner for his family and has church obligations.
But Mwase pleaded for stiffer punishment as the convict was supposed to protect and not exploit the girl; adding his conduct would also dent the image of men of God.
Passing the sentence, Senior Resident Magistrate Michongwe concurred with the state and handed the pastor a 7-year-jail sentence.
Samkera hails from Manyowe Village, Traditional Authority (T.A) Kuntaja in Blantyre District.
