The Blantyre Magistrate Court has committed to the High Court for sentencing, a case in which a police officer, Andrew Chagaga, was convicted of raping a girl twice in police custody.

Chagaga is currently on remand at Chichiri Prison waiting for sentencing.

The state made an application seeking that the convicted police officer be committed to the High Court for a stiffer sentencing.

Speaking after the ruling, one of the state lawyers, Trevor Mphalale, said they asked for a stiffer sentence in the High Court because the magistrate court could only pass a sentence of not more than 14 years.

The state is being represented by Trevor Mphalale, Ruth Kaima and Chikondi Chijozi from the Centre for Human Rights Education, Advice and Assistance (CHREAA) and Southern African Litigation Centre (SALC) respectively.