Two Individuals Sentenced to Community Service for Child Assault Case
The case was reported to police on July 6 by the victim's uncle. Both Matako and Chitete pleaded guilty to the charges.
BALAKA, Malawi— Two individuals have been sentenced to 12 months imprisonment with hard labor, suspended to 480 hours of community service each, for assaulting a 9-year-old girl, writes Martha Nakhate.
Lilian Matako and Ishmael Chitete were convicted on July 26 following an incident on June 28 where Matako's daughter, Mercy Magombo, was tied to a tree and beaten after admitting to taking K2,000 from her mother.
The assailants also poured water mixed with buffalo beans on the child.
Senior Resident Magistrate Joshua Nkhono suspended the prison sentences, ordering the convicts to perform community service at Balaka Police station and Social Welfare services.
"I have passed such sentence because the convict is a single mother and the victim has no other guardian except for the mother," Nkhono said, explaining the decision.
He added that Chitete's age and role in following Matako's orders were considered in sentencing.
The case was reported to police on July 6 by the victim's uncle. Both Matako and Chitete pleaded guilty to the charges.