First Grade Magistrate Gladstone Chilundu of Chikwawa has set January 29, 2021 date for judgement in a case in which Leonard Kanyama is accused of defiling and seriously injuring an 11-year-old girl.

This follows a conclusion of the testimony in the case from both the state and the defence. The case went into defense on Friday afternoon after the court found Kanyama with a case to answer on Friday morning.

Lead state prosecutor in the case, Eunice Ndingo told YFM in an interview that the state is impressed with the testimony from its witnesses and said it is optimistic that it will manage to make its final submission by January 8, 2021 as ordered by the court.

“Looking at how the case has been going till the time it was adjourned for judgement, state is ready to make its final submissions even if it meant tomorrow. The testimony from our six witnesses all has pointed to the accused as the one who defiled her,” she said.

According to Ndingo, should the accused be convicted on January 29, 2021, the state, will make an application that his sentencing should be done at the Chief Resident Magistrate Court (CRM).

“Issues of rape and defilement are at an alarming increase in the country and one way of arresting the problem, is to make sure that convicts are handed stiffer penalties. So once convicted, we will apply that the sentencing be done at the CRM for a penalty which will match his crime,” said Ndingo.

The State is co-prosecuting the matter with Women Lawyers Association while the accused is being represented by lawyers from the Legal Aid Bureau.