“Wrong machine” Man found guilty of sex with a minor thought to be over 18

A man identified as Ernest Chimpeni, 37, has been found guilty of defilement by the Mchinji Magistrate’s Court after it was determined that the girl he slept with was under the age of 18, even though she claimed to be 19 as her national Identity card shows 2006 birthdate as birth year.

Before learning that the girl was already pregnant by another man, Chimpeni initiated marriage arrangements with the girl’s family and paid K30,000 and a chicken as part of customary dowry negotiations, the court heard.

He was arrested after the girl’s parents reported the incident to the police after he demanded a refund.

Chimpeni acknowledged the sexual relationship in his defense, but he claimed to have relied on the girl’s national ID.

But according to testimony from the girl, her mother, and her uncle, she was born in 2008 instead.In his defence, Chimpeni admitted the sexual relationship but said he relied on the girl’s national ID.

However, the girl, her mother and her uncle testified that she was born in 2008, making her a minor at the time.

The girl also admitted falsifying her age during voter registration ahead of the September 2025 general elections to qualify to vote.

Senior resident magistrate Godfrey Nyirenda ruled that under the 2023 Penal Code amendment, belief that a girl is of age is no longer a valid defence if she is under 18.

The court further warned that registering underage voters exposes minors to exploitation and entangles innocent people in criminal cases.

Chimpeni remains in police custody awaiting sentencing on Monday next week.