By Hastings Yobe
Thokozani Charles, a 24-year-old street vendor, has been sentenced to 21 years in prison for raping a 27-year-old woman he met on Facebook. Charles, who pretended to be a rich South African businessman, proposed marriage to the woman just two weeks into their online relationship.
He then convinced her to help him perform rituals to retrieve his three cars, which he claimed were seized by the Malawi Revenue Authority due to unpaid duty fees. Charles took the victim to a lodge in Area 50, where he raped her three times and recorded the encounters on video. He later shared the videos with his friends.
The victim was also robbed of two cellphones by Charles at the Bingu National Stadium. In court, Charles pleaded guilty to rape and theft. Despite his plea for leniency, citing that he is an orphan and was taking driving lessons, the court handed down the maximum sentence of 21 years with hard labor.
Principal Resident Magistrate Rodrick Michongwe condemned Charles’ actions, stating that the court needed to impose a strong warning to potential perpetrators. Michongwe also advised women to be cautious when interacting with strangers on social media platforms.
Charles, who hails from Chitenje Village in Zomba District, will serve his sentence concurrently with a four-year term for theft. The case highlights the dangers of online scams and the importance of vigilance when interacting with strangers on social media.
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