Man gets 10 years for defilement

The Blantyre Magistrate’s Court has sentenced Welodi Makuluni, 33, to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour (IHL) for defiling his stepdaughter aged 12.

The court heard that the convict was caught red-handed by his wife in the victim’s bedroom in the early hours of January 2 2013 in Nancholi Township, Blantyre.

Blantyre Police prosecutor, Constable Martin Thulu told the open court that the victim’s mother has five children from an earlier marriage.

He further told the court that the woman brought the children to the new family and has stayed with the accused for 11 years.

“As usual, on the night of January 1 2013, the family retired early. Children and the couple went to their respective rooms and the couple followed suit. In the night, however, the victim’s mother observed that her husband left the bed more than eight times.

“At the time she never suspected her husband would spleep with her stepdaughter.

“In the course of the act, the victim felt pain and was threatened with death. She, however, shouted.

“But when the mother followed the husband defiling the girl. A report from the hospital confirmed the act,” said Thulu.

In her ruling, first grade magistrate Diana Mangwana said it was a pity that the accused person had been defiling his stepdaughter who expected protection from him.

Makuluni comes from Zamanemba Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Lundu in Blantyre.