Three in custody for child trafficking in Phalombe
Malawi Police in Phalombe district this week arrested three people for allegedly trafficking two boys to Mozambique for labour exploitation.
The suspects, Willes John 18 years old, William Black 22, and 19-year-old Stephano Black were caught travelling with two 15-year-old boys on bicycles to Mozambique.
Phalombe police Public Relations Officer Augustus Nkhwazi said the suspects the three confessed during interrogation that indeed they were trafficking the victims to Mozambique for labour purposes (piece work).
“Upon reaching Nambazo trading centre, Police officers from Nambazo Police Unit suspected their movement and picked them for questioning,” explained Nkhwazi.
Meanwhile, the three have been charged with Child Trafficking contrary to Section 15 of Trafficking in Persons Act of 2015.
The three are expected to appear in court any time soon.
William Black and Stephano Black hail from Mwapasa Village and Willes John comes from Chaima Village, all from the area of T/A Mwambo in Zomba district.
The two victims hail from Mwapasa village T/A Mwambo in the same district. Meanwhile, police are working on repatriating them to their home district through Zomba City Council.
Child Trafficking cases are normally common in Phalombe and the surrounding districts between the months of July to March every year during which farmers are preparing land for farming activities especially in the neighboring Mozambique.
