The Senior Resident Magistrate Court in Zomba has set 31 July 2026 as the date for sentencing Senior Chief Malemia, who was recently convicted on two criminal charges.
Malemia was found guilty of having sexual relations with a minor and aiding in procuring an abortion.
During sentencing submissions, Senior State Advocate Naarai Longwe from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) urged the court to impose a stiff penalty, arguing that the offences appeared to have been premeditated despite being the accused’s first conviction.
Longwe told the court that, as a traditional leader, Senior Chief Malemia was expected to play a key role in safeguarding young girls and upholding community values.
She therefore asked the court to sentence him to 21 years imprisonment for having sexual relations with a minor and a further 10 years for aiding in procuring an abortion, saying such a sentence would serve as a deterrent to others.
In mitigation, defence lawyer Patrick Debwe argued that the State was effectively prosecuting Lloyd Clement and not Senior Chief Malemia, as alleged.
He asked the court to take into account that this was his client’s first offence when determining an appropriate sentence.Debwe further submitted that harsher penalties are generally reserved for cases involving victims below the age of 12.
He consequently requested a sentence of five years imprisonment for the offence of having sexual relations with a minor and three years for aiding in procuring an abortion, with both sentences running concurrently.Senior Resident Magistrate Elija Daniels said the court will deliver its sentence on Friday, 31 July 2026, at 9:00 a.m.
