Warning of graphic picture: Girl, 9, found dead, private parts cut
By Green Muheya, Nyasa Times
Police in the southern Malawi district of Chikhwawa are keeping in custody five people who are connected to the death of a nine-year-old girl found dead on Sunday with her private parts and some flesh removed.
Chikhwawa Police spokesperson said they have arrested four men and one woman, all the deceased’s relatives, in connection with the murder of Joan Melo.
Nguluwe said on the fateful day, the five suspects took the girl from her home to church, but she was only found dead around 11am along the Ngabu –Bangula Road in Holandi Village, T/A Ngabu.
The suspects claimed the girl was hit by a vehicle and died.
Centre for Children’s Affairs Malawi executive director Moses Devlin Busher who alerted Nyasa Times of the gruesome murderof the girl expressed shock, describing it as one of the worst abuse of children.
“Its really very sad and this is worst type of abuse to children, instead of children enjoying their right to life and protection from their relatives, the same relatives are involved in the abuse of children, where will these children get the protection ,” Busher told Nyasa Times.
“We want to thank the police for the good work done for netting the suspects and we would like to urge the parents and other people to be united in reporting such cases of abuse to police and other NGOs in their areas, as an organization we will continue with sensitizations in the district,” he added.
The body was taken to the Chikhwawa district hospital for post-mortem where the officials confirmed that the girl was really butchered and the body was buried on Monday, police spokesman said.
