Man jailed for rape in Blantyre
Mandala Midima First Grade Magistrate Court has sentenced a 32-year-old man, Thomas Nkumbira, to eight years imprisonment with hard labour for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl at Madulira Village in Traditional Authority Machinjiri, Blantyre.
According to Limbe Police deputy public relations officer Sub-Inspector Sam Kadyore, Nkumbira was convicted for having carnal knowledge of a minor, an offence that contravenes Section 138 (1) of the country’s Penal Code.
The court, presided over by First Grade Magistrate Lameck Mkwapatila, heard from State Prosecutor, Sergeant Noah Rapozo of Limbe Police Station, that the crime came to light in June 2025.
According to the prosecution, the victim’s mother grew suspicious after noticing her daughter’s unusual behaviour, particularly her habit of returning home late whenever she was sent on errands.
Concerned, the girl’s father questioned her about the sudden change.
“The victim revealed to her father that the convict was the one delaying her by taking her to a certain bathroom at Madulira market, where he was having sex with her on several occasions in June 2025,” Sergeant Rapozo told the court.
The family subsequently reported the matter to Limbe Police Station.
Investigations were launched, leading to Nkumbira’s arrest after a medical examination from Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital confirmed that the girl had been sexually abused.During his trial, Nkumbira pleaded not guilty to the charge, forcing the state to parade four witnesses.
The witnesses testified against him, and the court found him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.In mitigation, the convict pleaded for mercy, describing himself as a first-time offender and asking for leniency.
However, the state pushed for a stiffer punishment, arguing that such sexual offences against minors were becoming increasingly rampant in the country.
In his sentencing remarks, Magistrate Mkwapatila agreed with the state’s submission.
He emphasized the need for a stringent sentence to serve as a deterrent to other would-be offenders.
Consequently, he sentenced Nkumbira to eight years in prison with hard labour.
Nkumbira hails from Khwethemule Village, Traditional Authority Changata in Thyolo.
