The Mangochi Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court has convicted self-proclaimed prophet Christopher Phiri on two counts of indecent assault and engaging in sexual activities with a child after Phiri pleaded guilty to the two counts yesterday.
The guilty plea and subsequent conviction came after the State changed the charges from defilement, which the accused was initially charged with.
Phiri’s case came into the limelight after video clips in which he was seen playing his biological daughter’s private parts went viral in social media.
He initially denied the defilement charge.
The State then paraded four witnesses, including the victim herself, her mother, a medical worker and a police officer.
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But prosecutor Brenda Khwale said the State decided to change the charges after noticing that there was no evidence provided by the witnesses which proved that the suspect indeed defiled his biological child.
“But the witness proved that the accused was having sexual activities with the girl… and indecently assaulted her. We are happy that he has pleaded guilty to these charges and has subsequently been convicted,” Khwale said.
Meanwhile, Senior Resident Magistrate Muhammad Maxwell Chande has adjourned the case to December 29, when the state and the defence are expected to make their final arguments before he deliver his sentence.
