Malawi police arrest woman for faking pregnancy

Malawi Police in Mwanza are keeping in custody Alice Masala for deceiving medical officers at Mwanza District Hospital that she was pregnant.

Masala went to Mwanza District Hospital in March 2017 pretending that she was pregnant and time for her to deliver was just around the corner. Surprisingly, when her turn to be examined came, Masala was nowhere to be seen.

Mwanza Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), Edwin Kaunda said Masala stayed in the maternity ward for some time and her body shape showed that she was pregnant.

Kaunda said each time nurses made a visit to the ward Alice was always bolting.

“Lucky was not on her side last Friday as Masala was cornered. She was forced to the examination room where it came out that she was not pregnant; but she tied several pieces of cloths on her belly which made her look like a pregnant woman,” said Kaunda.

He said medical officers informed police about the issue and Masala was arrested on the same day.

Kaunda said during police interrogation, the suspect could not tell why she behaved that way.

“But as police we suspected that Masala had planned to steal a new born baby from the hospital but an opportunity was not arising,” said Kaunda.

Masala will appear in court soon to answer charges of giving false information to a public officer contrary to section 122 of the Penal Code.

She comes from Epesi village TA Kanduku in Mwanza.