By Chisomo Sezi
Police in Jenda, Mzimba, have arrested Maureen Yiombe, 66, and Mayeso Phiri, 24, for allegedly forcing Yiombe's 14-year-old granddaughter into marriage and attempting to traffic her.
The two will appear before court soon- PIC Jenda Police
According to Jenda Police spokesperson MacFarlane Mseteka, the arrests on September 29, 2024, followed a complaint from the victim. She had contacted authorities on the day she was supposed to be sent to South Africa to meet her arranged husband.
Mseteka explained that the victim had been living with her grandmother since her parents’ divorce and in February, Yiombe allegedly arranged for the girl to marry a man in South Africa, receiving a cow as lobola (bride price).
The PRO said the situation distressed the young girl so much that she attempted to take her own life.
"Yiombe tricked the victim into visiting immigration with falsified documents regarding her age and managed to secure a passport for her," Mseteka said.
He added that the man in South Africa had been financially supporting the victim through Yiombe, treating her as his wife in waiting and on the day of her intended departure, the victim managed to escape and report the case to the police.
"Following her report, officers from the community policing and child protection desk arrested both Yiombe and Phiri.
"They have been charged with forcing a child into marriage and attempted child trafficking, which are violations of Section 81(a) of the Child Care, Protection, and Justice Act and Section 21 of the Trafficking in Persons Act. They will appear in court once the necessary paperwork is completed,” said Mseteka
Both suspects come from Songeya Village, Traditional Authority Mzukuzuku, in Mzimba District.
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