Police arrest Mzuzu mayor for defiling niece

Malawi: Police in Mzuzu have arrested Mzuzu City Councilor Gift Desire Nyirenda on suspicion of defiling his 14-year-old niece.

According to Mzuzu Police spokesperson Inspector Paul Tembo, the incident occurred during the night of 01-02/08/2022 at Nkhorongo location Luwinga.

The victim (name withheld), a standard seven-year-old girl, was sleeping with the suspect's daughter in his uncle's home.

The Mzuzu Police spokesperson said: “He allegedly came into her room only to turn off the lights and then left. After a few minutes, he returned and went straight to the victim's bed, defiling her after tearing her pant. He wanted to give the victim two thousand kwacha, but she refused, so he threatened her with death if she revealed anything. He returned on August 2nd night, but the victim refused. Then, on the night of August 3-4, 2022, he returned and defiled her multiple times.”

According to a Mzuzu Police spokesperson, the suspect defiled the victim five nights in a row, each night more than once except the first.

“He promised to buy her a cell phone for easy communication, but she refused. Then she reported the matter to the maid, but she said nothing. On 08/08/2022, she reported the matter to his Aunt, but she said nothing,” said Inspector Tembo.

“On 12/08/2022, around 21:00 hours, the suspect's wife, who also happens to be her aunt, called her and told her to leave her house. She packed her belongings and reported the incident to the Mzuzu police station after hearing the news.”

The victim is being held at Mzuzu Police Station VSU. The victim was examined at Mzuzu Health Centre, and the results were said to be positive.

The suspect has been arrested and will appear in court soon, said Inspector Tembo.