Malawi Police arrest man for sexual abuse of 6 girls
Police in Malawi’s Eastern district of Balaka are keeping in custody a 42-year- old man for allegedly abducting and defiling six girls.
Balaka police spokesperson sub inspector Joseph Sauka says the suspect Richard Mandala Chisale abducted the girls who are aged between 12 and 15 three months ago and has been defiling them ever since.
Sauka says the issue came to light after the parents of one of the victims reported the missing of her 12-year old daughter who was in Standard 7 at a certain School within Balaka Township.
“Ever since, Police and the girl’s parents have been searching for her until Friday the 6th June, 2014 when she was traced by her brothers who took her to Balaka Police. Upon interview, the girl revealed that she was being kept by Mr Richard Mandala Chisale who is commonly known as ‘ACHISALE’ alongside five others and that he has been defiling them all” says Sauka.
Sauka says the girls explained that that the suspect would choose who to have sexual intercourse among them and he was having sexual intercourse with the chosen one while the others are watching.
“At times, the girls would be sent to do prostitution in town and the suspect was telling them to give him the money so that he can buy food for them,” says Sauka.
Police then arrested the suspect at his home at Kandengwe village and upon searching his home, another girl aged 13 was found in the suspect’s room sleeping.
Upon interview, she also revealed that she was living with the suspect alongside five others who are aged between 12 and 15 and that the suspect was defiling them all.
“Meanwhile Police has managed to find three of the six girls and all of them are saying the very same statement that the suspect had been defiling them and he was sending them in town to do prostitution. They all said the suspect would defile them without any protective measure.”
Medical examination from Balaka District revealed that the victims were repeatedly defiled.
The suspect is expected to appear before court soon where he will answer the case of abduction of girls under the age of sixteen years contrary to section 136 of the Penal code and defilement contrary to section 138 of the Penal code.
The suspect Richard Mandala Chisale comes from Kandengwe village, Senior Chief Nsamala in Balaka district.
Meanwhile Police and Youth Net and Counselling [YONECO] are doing everything possible to rehabilitate the girls and will later be repatriated to their respective home after counselling.
