Dar resident jailed 30 years for impregnating schoolgirl

DAR ES SALAAM: THE  Kinondoni Resident Magistrate’s Court at the Integrated Justice Centre Kinondoni in Dar es Salaam has sentenced a Bunju resident, Meshack Marko (23) to 30 years in jail for raping and impregnating a 16-year-old schoolgirl.

Principal Resident Magistrate (PRM) Ramadhan Rugemalira gave the verdict when the matter was called for a ruling on Thursday.

Before delivering the judgment, PRM Rugemalira said that the prosecution side had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt that the convict (Marko) committed the crimes by having carnal knowledge with the victim on diverse dates between January 2021 and August last year in Bunju, Kihungule, in Dar es Salaam and denied the girl the right to education.

“The court has found Marko guilty in the first count and will serve a 30-year jail term” he noted

Magistrate Rugemalira went on to explain that the accused in the first place denied committing the crime after being hauled before the court on the allegations.

The prosecution then began to present its case to the court, using three exhibits and five witnesses to support its allegations against the defendant.

He further asserted that the victim was the first witness in the case, having testified in court that she knew the accused, had a sexual contact with him, and that they were getting together for holiday at Marko’s house.

“The victim’s mother testified in court as well, stating that on May 28, 2022, the victim’s brother returned home and inquired about the girl’s relationship status with the convict. She (the victim) initially resisted, but after being whipped a bit, she acknowledged that she had been having an affair with the convict,” he explained.

Further reading the judgment, the PRM said the victim was admitted to the Mwananyamala Regional Referral Hospital for further medical checkups and it was revealed that she was pregnant.

He added that the evidence was supported by laboratory testing from the office of the Chief Government Chemist Laboratory Agency (CGCLA), which did genetic tests (DNA) on the victim’s child who was born on May 28, this year.

Earlier, the prosecution pleaded with the court to give severe punishment to the accused to discourage increased rape incidents in society.