Malawi Police arrest man for assaulting son for years
Police in Lilongwe arrested 30-year-old, Paononga Kalonga Phiri, of Ndevu Village TA Kalolo, Lilongwe, for allegedly assaulting his 8-year-old biological son for a long time.
Confirming the development , Kanengo Police Public Relations Officer, Sgt. Esther Mkwanda, said they arrested Phiri after his son (name withheld) gathered courage and stormed the police accompanied by a well-wisher from the community and lodged the assault complaint.
“The son said he had always wanted to report the beatings he had been enduring but he said he was fearing for his life,” explained Mkwanda, adding: “We have gathered information from the community where Phiri stays in Area 25 Sector 7 that all the neighbours knew about the assault but they, too, were afraid because Phiri is believed to be violent.”
Mkwanda alleged that when he was brought to Kanengo Police Station, Phiri admitted to have been assaulting the minor on disciplinary grounds.
The minor’s mother reportedly walked out on Phiri when the son was less than one year old and the father had insisted to keep custody of the boy.
Phiri married again but according to the boy and the community, the boy has endured several beatings for almost every day of his life.
“He beats me with a hosepipe, sometimes he uses an electric chord of a kettle to beat me,” explained the boy, whose whole body, from his face to his ankles, is criss-crossed with fresh and old streaks.
The boy, who like his father, is dread-locked, said he no longer wanted to stay with the allegedly bullying father and that he no longer wanted to keep the dreadlocks.
The Police have since appealed to Phiri sister to take charge of the boy’s custody until further notice.
Phiri is being charged with assault occasioning bodily harm, contrary to Section 254 of the Penal Code and the charge can attract a 14-year-jail-term should the court find him guilty.
The police have since appealed to the general public to take up the responsibility of raising children in the communities and that people should always report to police where they suspect any home based abuse or assault.
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