Mangochi defilement cases up by 78%
Defilement cases in Mangochi increased by 78 percent in the year 2020 compared to the previous year 2019, a police report states.
In a statement signed by Mangochi Police Station deputy spokesperson Amina Tepani-Daudi, the district registered 98 defilement cases in 2020 while in 2019 there were 55 cases.
The statement says the increase represents 78.18 percent and attributes it to a number of factors, including cultural practices.
Reads the report in part: “Police findings have revealed that some deep-rooted cultural practices and beliefs remain among contributing factors of the upsurge in defilement cases.
“Covid-19 has also been identified as another accelerator of defilement cases as children were not in school for a considerable period of time.”
But YouthNet and Counselling Mangochi district programmes manager Funny Chilembo said the development showed that more people are reporting cases of defilement.
“I believe that the cases have always been there and they are coming out now as a result of the sensitisation campaigns we conduct in communities,” she said.
