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Police arrest counsellors for unlawful wounding

Police in Mchinji have arrested two counsellors (angaliba) for allegedly performing male circumcision rites and unlawfully wounding Ibrahim Matola, 13, in the course of the rite.

Mchinji Police Station deputy spokesperson Chikondi Kawaza confirmed the incident, saying six boys circumcised by the two suspects have been referred to Mchinji District Hospital for examination.

An illustration of an arrest

“The boys revealed that the two were performing the rite using a sharp knife and while the other five were recovering well, Matola, who reported the matter, noticed that his wound was getting worse,”she said.

The  two, Chipagwire Saidi, 77, from Maluwa Village, Traditional Authority (T/A)Jalasi and Moyenda Asim, 79, from Nkhumba Village, T/A Jalasi in Mangochi, have been charged with unlawful wounding.

Circumcision is popular among some tribes, especially the Yao and it is performed in a secret place using traditional instruments despite government advice that people should go for voluntary medical male circumcision.

Health officials from Mchinji District Hospital could not be reached for comment, but Kawaza said police are working with them on the matter.

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