Police net 2 Mozambicans for trafficking Malawian girls

Malawi police in Phalombe district on Wednesday afternoon intercepted four girls who were being trafficked to Mozambique for Labour and prostitution exploitation.

The police have since arrested two Mozambicans for human trafficking offences.

Police, acting on a tip-off, intercepted the girls at Phalombe trading centre as they were being ferried in a minibus registration number BR 3808.

Phalombe police Public Relations Officer, Augustus Nkhwazi said they have arrested Shadreck Matebule, 51, and 23-year-old Siliva Sapatero both from Vularo village, T/A Vularo in the district of Milanje in Zambezia Province-Mocambique.

”The two confessed that they wanted to employ the victims as bargirls at a newly opened bar in Milanje- Mozambique,” explained Nkhwazi.

The victims were all drawn from Migowi trading centre in Phalombe namely; Magret Salimu, 18, of Mulo village, T/A Kadewere in Chiradzulu, Esther Jafalie,19, of Namasalima village in Machinga, Mary Masanjala, 19, of Masauli village, T/A Ntchema in Chiradzulu and Modester Magilini, 19, of Chimaliro village T/A Chimaliro in Thyolo.

The suspects are expected to appear before court soon on the charges of Human Trafficking contrary to Section 269 0f the Penal Code.