Kaliati condemns pastor suspected of defilement
The Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare Patricia Kaliati says it will take to task a Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church pastor Harrison Juwa, 50, for allegedly defiling his 13-year-old niece.
During a press conference in Lilongwe, Kaliati expressed concerned over the pastor’s alleged conduct.
“I am deeply shocked to learn that a pastor has been defiling his late brother’s daughter since 2011. As a ministry, we are going to ask the court and the police not to grant the suspect bail.
“We have the legislation which stipulates the maximum penalty for the offence; 14 years in jail,” she said.
Kaliati further noted that the suspect impregnated the girl, who now has a two-month-old baby.
“The sad news is that the pastor’s wife knew about this and kept it a secret. This is bad and we are taking action against the parent to teach others a lesson,” she said.
Meanwhile, Juwa was under police custody at Lilongwe Police Station.
National child protection officer in the Malawi Police Service (MPS) Alex Ngwala confirmed Juwa’s arrest.
“The case is in court and we cannot comment much,” he said.
Ngwala said the suspect was staying in Area 25, but comes from Mkutumula II Village in Ntcheu.
It is believed that the girl was in Standard Seven at a primary school in Lilongwe before she got pregnant.
