Brothers in alleged abduction in Dedza, force mother to leave
Police at Nkhunga in Nkhotakota have arrested five men for allegedly abducting two children and for being responsible for the missing of their mother whom they chased away.
Nkhunga Police Station spokesperson Ignatius Esau said the suspects— Kumzinda Phiri, 60, Halini Phiri, 34, Christopher Phiri, 33, Chipulumutso Phiri, 28, and Joseph Phiri, 19—are alleged to have abducted two children under the age of five.
He said the children belong to their sibling Akim Phiri who left for South Africa and their sister-in-law Leness Katadzeka, 20, from Dedza.
“While in South Africa, Phiri has been sending money through his wife for a house project, which did not please the husband’s relatives,” said Esau.
He said the man’s relatives connived to lie against their sister-in-law that she was having an extra-marital affair.
“That was when they snatched the children from her and gave her little money, which was not even enough for her transport to Dedza on December 18 2018. Unfortunately, the woman cannot be traced,” said Esau.
He added: “After they were informed of their relative’s situation, Katadzeka’s family was surprised that Leness had still not arrived in Dedza after 11 days from the day she was chased from Nkhotakota.
This prompted the family to report the matter to police.
Meanwhile, police is appealing to people who might know the woman’s whereabouts to report to the nearest police station.
