The Mchinji Magistrate Court has sentenced Esau Daison Kachinga, a pastor at Life Changers Church to 10 years in prison for defiling three women who had gone to his home for prayers.
One of the victims said she visited Kachinga’s home on the evening of September 17 2025, seeking prayers for her husband who is being kept in Zambian prison. Instead, he allegedly forced her to get into a room and raped her.
The court heard that a victim was told to bring a bottle of unopened water to the pastor’s house and upon entering the room, they were attacked and defiled and finally told that it was a part of the prayer.
Kachinga denied the charges, but three witnesses testified against him, leading to his conviction. In his defense, which led the pastor to pleaded for mercy.
As delivering the verdict, Magistrate Godfrey Nyirenda said it was shocking that the Victim Support Unit had tried to bribe the victim with K150,000 to drop the case but the victim denied instead, she tipped a certain organisation that deals with Women Empowerment for Change which took the case to the court.
Nyirenda said Kachinga’s actions were contrary to sections 132 and 133 of the country’s penal code and deserved a severe sentence.
The sentence is aimed at deterring other would-be offenders and protecting women from such abuses.
Officials from the Mchinji Social Welfare Office welcomed the verdict, saying it was a victory for justice.
Kachinga, hails from Bazilio village in Mchinji and has been sent to prison to serve his sentence.
