NKHATABAY-(MaraviPost)-The Nkhata-bay Magistrate Court, in this week convicted and sentenced a 60-year old Joseph Mphande, to six years imprisonment with hard labour for being found guilty of raping his own 22-year old daughter.

Nkhata-bay Police station spokesperson Ignatius Esau, told the Court that in March this year, the girl asked money from her father to start business.

In his response, the father told his daughter that for her business to prosper, she needed a certain medication.

When she quizzed as to what type of medication was needed, the father told his daughter that they needed to have sexual intercourse; to which the daughter refused.

Esau said that on the nights of April 3, and 28th May 2017, the father forcibly raped his daughter; and this prompted her to report him to the village head, who later took the victim to Usisya Police Unit.

The Police publicist added that the victim was referred to Usisya Health Centre, where rape was confirmed. A few days later, Mphande was arrested and charged with rape, which contrary to section 157 (1) of the Malawi Penal Code.

“In Court, Mphande pleaded not guilty to the charge; however, three witnesses were paraded to prove his guilt and on July 12, 2017, he was found guilty. In mitigation, he brought the Court into laughter when he said he is an orphan.

“Passing sentence, FGM Anthony Banda decried Mphande’s behavior. Banda said that as a father he is supposed to provide protection for his daughter not engage in sexual relations with her. He later slapped Mphande with a six-year jailed term taking into consideration his age.

Both the convict Mphande and the victim hail from Kaulanda village, Traditional Authority (T.A.) M’bwana in Nkhata-bay district.