Couple Arrested for Allegedly Stealing 7-Day-Old Baby in Chikwawa

Malawi-Police in Chikwawa are holding a man and his wife in custody for allegedly stealing a seven-day-old baby, writes Comfort Bulangete.

Mavuto Smart, 33, from Million Village in the area of Traditional Authority Tengani in Nsanje District and Eliza Thendo, 20, from Thendo Village, Traditional Authority Masache in Chikwawa District, were identified as the suspects in custody.

Sergeant Dickson Matemba, the Public Relations Officer for Chikwawa Police Station, said, "The incident occurred on March 7, 2023, at Million Village, in the boundary of Chikwawa and Nsanje Districts, whereby a mother of the baby was taking a bath and left the baby in the house."

Matemba explained, "When she returned, she discovered that the baby was missing, which prompted her to inform her husband, who was in the garden, and report the matter to Thendo Police Unit."

After the police officers launched investigations, they arrested Eliza Thendo, who was holding the baby. During interrogation, she revealed that her boyfriend, Mavuto Smart, had brought the baby to her.

The couple will be charged with child theft, which is contrary to Section 167 of the penal Code and will appear in court soon. Meanwhile, the baby has been returned to its biological mother.

The police in the district are advising parents to take care of their children and keep a watchful eye on them to avoid such incidents.