National News
In jail for impregnating mentally challenged girl
Pearson Matemba, 43, from Samola Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Lundu in Blantyre, is in police custody for allegedly defiling a 23-year-old mentally challenged girl, Anne Lifi. Southern Region Police spokesperson Nicholas Gondwa said Lifi was doing errands at Matemba’s restaurant at Lirangwe Market in Blantyre. “On Saturday, she had malaria symptoms and when her parents took her to Lirangwe Health Centre, it was discovered that she is four months pregnant and that she mentioned the suspect as the one responsible,” said Gondwa. —Mercy Malikwa, Staff Reporter
Do not arrest him please. Allow him to finish the job he started by marrying this beautiful girl. This is one of the Laws we need to change because it is inconsistent with the Republican Constitution. Prohibiting people to marry mentally disturbed persons is discrimination. The learned judge, who passed this sentence, should read section 20 and 22 of the Constitution of Malawi and see whether his/her verdict is in compliance with these two sections. The Law should not punish these men but rather it should force them to marry the women they prey over and ensure that the rights of such women are well protected by the law. Also a certain group should be identified to ensure that the law that protect such vulnerable people is properly enforced.