Police clash with Seventh Day Apostolic church members

Commotion erupted on Tuesday between Mangochi Police and members of Seventh Day Apostolic Church after  police officers wanted to rescue a burnt child whose parents would not take him to hospital due to religious beliefs.

The police raided the camp which houses the church members and whisked away the six-year-old child, who has burns which have worsened with time.

The child is currently admitted to Mangochi District Hospital under police guardianship.

Mangochi Police Station assistant spokesperson Amina Tepani Daudi identified the child as Junior Umar.

In an interview yesterday, Daudi said the boy’s parents did not take him to hospital as it is against their religious beliefs.

“There are some Seventh Day Apostolic Church members who settled in the forest at Chipalamawamba Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Mponda in the district.

“Two weeks ago, two of their children were playing and accidentally the victim was pushed by his friend and fell in a pot of hot water which was on a nearby fire. The boy got burnt and sustained injuries on the stomach, buttocks and also his private parts,” said Daudi.

She said one of their church members reported the situation to police after noting that the child’s condition was worsening.

“We immediately went to rescue the boy.

“But when we got there, a wrangle erupted between us and male church members, who could not let us enter the house to see the boy. But we used our skills and managed to take the child to the hospital,” said Daudi.

The boy comes from Misuku Village, Traditional Authority Misuku in Chitipa District.