By Temwa Tembo

Child rights activist Memory Chisenga has expressed dissatisfaction with a one-year prison sentence imposed on Wedson Kaunda, 22, for defiling a 15-year-old girl.

On Wednesday, the First Grade Magistrate’s Court in Lilongwe found Kaunda guilty of engaging in sexual relations with a minor and impregnating her.

The court said the sentence was influenced by the fact that Kaunda is a first-time offender and that the girl would require his support after his release from prison.

However, Chisenga argued that despite the court’s reasoning, the offence is serious, and the sentence does not deliver justice for the teenager.

She also questioned whether Kaunda would realistically be able to provide support after serving his sentence.

Chisenga further stressed that, given the gravity of such offences, courts should impose stiffer penalties to help curb cases of child defilement in the country.