Magistrate Muwalo Maxwell who sentenced the three in a row, agreed with the state prosecutors that the three, deserved stiffer punishments since sexual offenses are rampant and recorded on daily basis in the district.

It was heard in court through state prosecutor, Editor Kansisi, that Odala Makoto who will serve a 21-year jail term, defiled on multiple times a nine-year-old girl from June 30, 2021 at Sitepe village, Traditional Authority Chimaliro in the district while he is on ARV treatment.

On Thokozani Michere, who will also spend the next 21 years in jail, according to Prosecutor Patricia Mphulupulu, defiled and impregnated his 14-year-old niece in November 2020 at Mberenga village, Traditional Authority, Kapichi in the district.

While, Christopher Namaona who has been sentenced to 19 years, according to Prosecutor Ishmael Abubasiti, he defiled a nine-year-old girl on January 29, 2022 at Tsoka village, Traditional Authority Thomas in the district after giving her Kamba puffs and 100 Kwacha.

Meanwhile, Thyolo district Malawi Interfaith AIDS Association, MIAA, Field Facilitator, Dyson Biliati, has welcomed the sentences which he says will deter other would-be offenders since the cases are rampant in the district.

"Now that cases are being concluded with that maximum sentence, others receiving, 19 years and 21 years, this is encouraging.

“It is bringing hope to the community who are facing these cases where children are not living in safer environment.

“We are hoping that such sentences will continue to deter others of like-minded,” Biliati concluded.