WOMAN ARRESTED FOR CONCEALING BIRTH AND DUMPING BABY IN NKHATA BAY DISTRICT

By Michael Martin//MALAWI

A 36-year-old woman, Madalitso Banda, has been arrested by police in Nkhata Bay District for allegedly concealing the birth of her child and dumping the baby in a swamp.

This incident occurred in the area of Traditional Authority Zilakoma, where Banda resides.

According to Sergeant Kondwani James, Public Relations Officer for Nkhata Bay Police, the arrest followed a report about a newborn baby found abandoned in a rice field.

“Upon investigation, Banda admitted to concealing the birth and dumping the baby due to marital issues,” said James.

“Concealing birth cases are not uncommon in Malawi. In 2022, a woman was arrested in Nkhata Bay District for allegedly concealing the birth of a baby boy and dumping him in a pit latrine.”

Similarly, in 2023, a 23-year-old woman was arrested in Mzuzu for concealing the birth of her child.

He added that Banda revealed that she had married a man in Mzimba but returned to her home village in TA Zilakoma due to family issues.

“She then fell in love with another man, who impregnated her. When her husband in Mzimba discovered the pregnancy, he threatened to follow her for interrogation, leaving Banda in a state of panic.

“On January 2, 2025, Banda gave birth to the baby while working in a rice field with her relatives. She secretly delivered the baby and abandoned it in a swamp before fleeing to Liwuzi Health Centre.”

Banda has been charged with concealing the birth of a child. The incident highlights the need for support systems for women facing unplanned pregnancies and marital issues.

In Malawi, concealing the birth of a child is a criminal offense, punishable by law. In 2023, a 42-year-old woman was sentenced to 1 year and 4 months imprisonment with hard labor for concealing the birth of her child.