Police rescue 35 trafficked children in Phalombe
Police in Phalombe have expressed concern at the escalating cases of Malawian children being trafficked to neighbouring Mozambique to work in agricultural fields.
The development comes after the law enforcers rescued 35 children during the month of August 2015 alone and also arrested 15 suspected perpetrators.
The children, whose ages range from 10 to 17, were trafficked from Zomba, Mulanje and Phalombe Districts, according to Phalombe Police Station spokesperson Augustus Nkhwazi.
Police say the victims are ferried to Mozambique using bicycles and are intercepted by the public because of their suspicious movements.
The trafficked children are taken to work on farms in Mozambique where the rainy season starts in August and September.
The latest incident occurred early this week when police in Phalombe rescued 15 children and arrested 15 suspects.
Nkhwazi said police have since opened five cases of Child Trafficking contrary to Section 79 of the Child Care, Protection and Justice Act and some victims have already been repatriated to their respective homes by police after testifying in the court.
“We commend the public for timely information which has led to the interception of the trafficked children and their perpetrators,” said Nkhwazi on Thursday. n
