Masuku Police Unit in Mangochi has arrested James George, 20, who is suspected to have defiled his 14-month-old stepdaughter when his wife went to draw water.
Mangochi police station public relations officer Amina Tepani Daudi says the ordeal occurred on September 6, 2021, at Njatu Village Traditional Authority Bwananyambi in Mangochi.
“It is reported that the couple got married two months ago and the wife,18, has a daughter(victim) from her previous relationship. On this fateful day, the wife left the victim asleep and went to draw water at a nearby borehole. On her way back she was informed by her close relative that the suspect was bathing the victim but with blood oozing from her genital,” Daudi says.
According to Daudi, the mother rushed home and found the victim crying uncontrollably and unattended with a wound in the genital area.
“The matter was reported at Masuku Police Unit three days later where the victim was given a referral letter for medical attention and the results from Mkumba Health Centre confirmed that the little one was defiled. The suspect has now been arrested and will appear before the court to answer the charge of defilement of a girl under the age of 16 which contravenes section 138 of the Penal Code,” she says.
Police in the district have described the incident as worrisome since most of these cases, perpetrators are close relatives.
According to statistics, out of 64 cases which the station has registered so far, 37 perpetrators are stepfathers.
As such Police are appealing to women in particular not to rush into second marriage or relationships without fully knowing their suitors in order to protect their girl-child from defilement.
George hails from Namaninga Village Traditional Authority Bwananyambi in Mangochi.
