44-YEAR-OLD MAN BEHIND BARS FOR HAVING SEX WITH A MINOR IN LILONGWE

By Michael Martin//MALAWI

A 44-year-old panel beater, Hastings Dumba, is currently in police custody at Area 3 in Lilongwe, accused of having sexual intercourse with a 16-year-old standard six girl.

According to Lilongwe Police Station Public Relations Officer, Hastings Chigalu, the suspect proposed to the minor at Nsaru Trading Centre in November last year.

Chigalu said he promised to take her to town the same day if she accepted his marriage proposal, which she did, without her parents’ knowledge.

“Community policing members apprehended the suspect on January 4 this year at Njewa area, where he and the minor were searching for a house to rent.

“The suspect had been living with the girl as his wife for two months in Chinsapo before deciding to relocate,” he said.

He added that during interrogation, the suspect admitted to living with the girl but blamed her for initiating the relationship.

“The victim was taken to the One Stop Centre at Kamuzu Central Hospital for a medical examination, which revealed that she was born on December 2, 2008.”

Hastings Dumba, from Thapaniwa Village, Traditional Authority Nsamala in Balaka District, will soon appear in court to face charges of Having Sexual Intercourse with a Child.