Defilement cases on the rise in Kasungu

Police in Kasungu say there is need to sensitise people on the country’s laws to curb crime.

Kasungu Police Station officer-in-charge  Ackis Muwanga said this on Friday in reaction to rising cases of defilement in the district.

He said: “It is important to sensitise the people on what the laws say on defilement. This can help in reducing cases of defilement in the district. Most people do not know that sleeping with underage girls is breaking the law.”

Muwanga’s sentiments come after the Kasungu First Grade Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday convicted two people on separate counts of defilement.

Kasungu first grade magistrate Damiano Banda  also expressed concern over the cases of defilement, saying they are becoming common.

Passing sentence to  Vasco Mathotho-Banda, 31, the magistrate said cases of defilement were common in Kasungu and to protect young girls, perpetrators like Mathotho deserved no leniency.

Mathotho was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour (IHL) for defiling his 16-year-old relation.

Kasungu Police Station spokesperson Edwin Kaunda said the convict was arrested on October 8 and  was taken to Kasungu First Grade Magistrate’s Court on October 14 where he pleaded guilty to the charge of defilement.

The same court on the same day also sentenced Amos Banda, 25, to 10 years for defiling a 15-year-old girl.