A Human rights organisation has expressed worry over the sentence given to former Malawi Deputy Minister of Agriculture Ellock Maotcha Banda saying it is too lenient and has urged prosecution team to appeal for a stiffer punishment.
Director of Umunthu Foundation David Odali said six years is too lenient for abduction since the offender is a former lawmaker and he is supposed to be a very good example to society.
He added that Maotcha Banda knew what he was doing when committing the crime and a stiffer sentence would have also deterred potential offenders.
“Abduction is a serious crime and attracts a penalty of more than six years but all the same we think conviction itself is very significant,” said Odali
Maotcha who is also a former Member of Parliament for Machinga Central abducted a 17 year old girl early last year and he will serve his 6 year sentence at Zomba Maximum prison.
Child abduction is a serious offence in Malawi as per Child Rights and Protection Act which attracts a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment with hard labour.
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