By Augustus Nkhwazi

Mzuzu, June 25, MANA: The Senior Resident Magistrate Court in Mzuzu has sentenced a 37 year old man, Gideon Chavula, to eight years imprisonment with hard labour for attempting to sell his 16-year-old daughter for K50 million.

Chavula was found guilty of the offence following his arrest in November 2024 after a failed attempt to sell his child to a Mzuzu based businessman who instead reported the matter to police.

The court heard that the accused lured his daughter into the city under false pretences, only to use her as bait in the illicit transaction.

State prosecutor Superintendent Bettie Msowoya said, “On November 8, 2024, the accused contacted the businessman and offered to sell him his biological daughter for K50 million.”

She said the businessman, whose identity has been withheld for security reasons, alerted the police and cooperated in setting up the suspect’s arrest.

The court was told that the two men agreed to meet at Kukoma Shop in Mzuzu on November 12.

Msowoya added that on that day Chavula arranged for the girl, who lives with her aunt in Katoto, to travel into town under the impression she was going shopping.

Msowoya said, “Upon arrival police officers intercepted the suspect and arrested him on the spot.”

According to Msowoya, Chavula denied the charges when he appeared in court, prompting the state to parade three witnesses who gave evidence proving his guilt beyond reasonable doubt and he was subsequently convicted of the offence.

In mitigation, the convict pleaded for leniency, claiming he was a first-time offender and had acted out of desperation.

However, Superintendent Msowoya argued for a stiff custodial sentence describing the crime as inhumane and deeply exploitative.

“The accused shamelessly abused his role as a father and attempted to trade his own child like a commodity an act that showed a complete lack of moral integrity and disregard for the girl’s rights and welfare,” said Msowoya.

Delivering his ruling, Senior Resident Magistrate Ashford Harawa concurred with the prosecution, stating that Chavula’s actions were a severe betrayal of parental responsibility and trust.

“The child had placed her trust in Chavula as her father, and he completely violated that trust by attempting to sell her for money therefore this court finds such conduct appalling and deserving of significant punishment,” ruled Magistrate Harawa.

Chavula was therefore sentenced to eight years in prison with hard labour. The court hopes the sentence will serve as both punishment and a deterrent to others who may consider similar offences.

Chavula comes from Kawilu Village, Traditional Authority Zolokele in Rumphi District.