The Dowa First Grade Magistrate’s Court has convicted and sentenced 35-year-old Yamikani Patukani to 14 years imprisonment with hard labour (IHL) for having sexual intercourse with his 14-year-old daughter at Kalodzera Village, Traditional Authority Chiwere in the district.
State Prosecutor Sub Inspector Theresa Kalonjere told the court that in February 2026, the convict coerced his daughter into sexual intercourse despite her resistance. The victim did not disclose the incident to anyone.
Kalonjere added that, in March, Patukani again sexually assaulted the daughter after finding her alone in her bedroom on her return from school.
When the victim’s mother arrived home, she found the convict suspiciously standing at the door of the girl’s bedroom and was denied entry.
A quarrel ensued, attracting the attention of villagers, including the convict’s sisters, who rushed the victim to the hospital. Medical examination confirmed she had been raped.
The court further heard that the victim’s mother revealed they had been misled by a traditional doctor who advised that the convict should either defile his daughter or terminate her pregnancy for the family to become rich. Patukani chose to sexually assault his daughter.
Appearing before the court, Patukani pleaded guilty to the charge of having sexual intercourse with a minor.
In mitigation, he asked for leniency, claiming he was a first-time offender and the e breadwinner for his family.
However, the state requested a stiff punishment, stressing that the offence was a felony, and that the accused had violated the victim’s dignity, earning him a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Prosecutor Kalonjere added that the convict deliberately planned the offense to pursue wealth, leaving his 14-year-old daughter traumatized for life.
Concurring with the state, First Grade Magistrate Yohane Nkhata sentenced Patukani to 14 years imprisonment with hard labour for having sexual intercourse with a minor.
