Mangochi Senior Resident Magistrate court on Friday September 11, 2020 convicted and sentenced Jafali Pedro 28, to 12 years imprisonment with hard labour for contravening section 15(1) of the trafficking in persons act.
During court proceedings Eastern Region Police Headquarters Prosecution Officer Assistant Superintendent Josophine Chigawa told the court that, on the morning of August 27, 2020 officers on patrol from Katuli Police Unit intercepted the accused person at Mkanje crossing boarder point in company of four Malawian juveniles aged 16-17 years to Mozambique.
After being quizzed ,the accused person lied to the officers that he was taking the juveniles to their relatives in Mozambique.
Chigawa added that, the officers interrogated the victims who revealed that they were taken to do piece of work in the accused’s farm in Mozambique.
Appearing in court, Pedro pleaded guilty to the charge.
In mitigation Pedro asked for court’s leniency stating that he takes care of orphans and his aged mother. However, the state quashed his appeal saying that such cases are rampant along the boarders of Malawi, traffickers use manipulation to lure victims into dubious deal which poses as threats to the future of the younger ones.
Passing judgement Senior Resident Magistrate Joshua Nkhono concurred with the state and sentenced him to 12 years imprisonment with hard labour to deter would be offenders.
Jafali Pedro hails from Chitanda Village Traditional Authority Masangulu District Ngauma in Mozambique.
