By Emily M'mangisa

Zomba, January 11, Mana: The Zomba Magistrate Court on Friday referred to the High Court a case in which Twaliki Mpaweni, a Police Officer, was convicted for having sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl.

Principal Resident Magistrate, Martin Chipofya referred the case to the High Court for sentencing after his conviction.

According to the Magistrate, he looked at the nature of the crime, aggravating and mitigating factors before referring the matter to the High Court for sentencing and ruled that the convict should remaining in custody as he awaits the sentence.

Chipofya however acquitted Mpaweni on a charge of aiding a suspect to escape from lawful custody.

Vitumbiko Mbizi who represented the state in the case said he was looking forward to a stiffer penalty in the High Court, arguing that Mpaweni committed a serious crime that deserve a life sentence.

“Instead of taking care of the girl, he engaged into sexual activity, thereby aggravating the crime,” she added.

In mitigation, the defense through Principal Advocate, Hanleck Davie Ching'anda from the Legal Aid Bureau said Mpaweni was a first offender, has a family of three children and a wife apart from taking care of a 57-year-old mother.

He therefore asked the court to grant Mpaweni a lighter sentence.

Mpaweni was arrested in August 2023 for having sexual intercourse with a minor and was also accused of aiding her to escape from a police cell at Kachulu Police Post in Zomba where she was locked after being accused of stealing her friend’s clothes.