Man attempts to sell herdsman

In the midst of economic crisis and rising cost of goods, a 40-year-old security guard in Mzuzu is suspected to have attempted selling a 14-year-old herdsman at K1 million (about $5 988) to one businessperson.

Mzuzu Police spokesperson Edward Longwe on Monday identified the security guard as Thomas Munkhondya who comes from Chinzali Village, Traditional Authority Mwaulambia in Chitipa.

He said the suspect has since been arrested and charged with abduction, but other charges will follow.

“The businessman kept getting phone calls from Munkhondya that he had body parts for sale. At first, he [the businessperson] thought the man [Munkhondya] was playing with his mind, but he realised that he was serious due to the number of times he was called.

“The businessman revealed that Munkhondya reached the extent of telling him that he had a live person [Elias Sichona, 14, of Loji Village, T/A Mwaulambia in Chitipa] that he [the businessperson] would kill himself to get the parts he wanted,” said Longwe.

According to Longwe, the businessperson reported the matter to Mzuzu Police Station and Munkhondya’s employers.

“After introducing the police [to Munkhondya] as potential buyers, they started bargaining for the price. Initial price was K1 million, but it was reduced to K800 000. After observing that he [guard] was in an attempt to sell the boy, the officers arrested him and asked him to lead them to the boy.

“The boy was in good health, but he had no idea of the deal. He [the boy] was picked from Gesha [location in Mzuzu] on condition that the guard would help him secure a job as he was tired of grazing cattle at Gesha,” said Longwe.

The boy has since been returned to his master at Gesha.