Malawi Police in Phalombe district are keeping in custody three people who were caught trafficking two boys to Mozambique.
The suspects have been identified as William Black, 22, Stephano Black, 19, from Mwapasa Village and 18 year-old Willes John of Chaima Village, all from the area of Traditional Authority Mwambo in Zomba district.
It is said that the three were travelling with the two boys aged 15 each on bicycles to the Portuguese speaking nation and upon reaching Nambazo trading centre in the district some Police officers from the area suspected their movement and they took them in for questioning.
Phalombe Police Station Spokesperson Augustus Nkhwazi has disclosed to Malawi24 that the three admitted upon being questioned that their intention was to use the kids for labour.
“The three confessed before the Police officers that indeed they were taking the victims to Mozambique for labour purposes (piece work),” Nkhwazi said.
According to Nkhwazi, the suspects are expected to appear in court very soon to answer charges of child trafficking contrary to section 15 of Trafficking in Persons Act of 2015.
Meanwhile, the two victims are being held at Phalombe Police and once all the repatriation processes are done they will be sent to their homes through Zomba City Council.
They hail from Mwapasa village in the area of Traditional Authority Mwambo in the district.
Child trafficking cases are usually common in Phalombe and the surrounding districts that border with Mozambique starting from the month of July every year.
This month is when most farmers in Mozambique start preparing their lands for farming activities in the next growing season.
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