The Lilongwe First Grade Magistrate’s Court has sentenced a 52-year old witchdoctor to two years in prison after he helped his assistant defile a 13-year old girl as a ritual to fortify the house of the victim’s mother.
The convict, Ackim Abraham, was found guilty on Tuesday on a charge of accessory after the fact.
Namitete Police Post Prosecution Officer Sub Inspector Steve Galleta told the court that Abraham committed the crime on 16 June last year at Sinumbe Village in Traditional Authority Kalolo.
At that time, he was hired to fortify the house against alleged witchcraft practices.
He was in the company of his younger assistant, who is currently at large.
The court heard that Abraham sought to use his client’s children- a boy and a 13-year-old-girl-in his ritual.
He urged the mother to wait outside while he took on his ritualistic moves.
First he brought the boy into the house and spent a short while with him.
Then he invited the girl and took a long time with her, arousing suspicion of the mother.
She rushed in and noticed Abraham’s assistant deep in the act, defiling her daughter.
The mother shouted for help, leading to the capture of Abraham after his assistant bolted.
During his trial, Abraham denied any wrongdoing and the state paraded three witnesses.
The state further asked the court to impose a maximum sentence which is three years imprisonment, arguing Abraham lacked parental obligation as he helped his assistant defile the victim.
In her determination, First Grade Magistrate Diana Mangwana agreed with the state and condemned Abraham for his actions.
She went on and sentenced him to spend the next two years in jail.
Abraham comes from Kamwendo in Phalombe District.
