World Vision condemn child trafficking
Malawi Government and World Vision Malawi have condemned the acts of child trafficking, saying it is dangerous as children are made to work beyond their abilities and do hazardous tasks.
Phalombe Police assistant commissioner William Kadzayekha said this at Mitekete Primary School in Thipakula Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Jenala in Phalombe District on Friday.
He said police will close borders which have been used for child trafficking across the country. He said police have since arrested two men from Mozambique for allegedly attempting to drag Malawian children to Mozambique.
Said Kadzayekha: “The community should help us and tip us off on any suspicious acts likely to relate to child trafficking” The minimum punishment of the act is five years imprisonment and a maximum of life imprisonment.
Phalombe assistant district social welfare officer Cedric Saukira said they are satisfied with the punishment as child trafficking is a big problem not only in the area but elsewhere in the country.
He said they will continue working with the police and World Vision to ensure that the problem is brought to an end.
Understanding that poverty is one of the factors that make children fall victims of child trafficking, World Vision development facilitator for Mkhumba area development programme, Robert Chifupa, said they introduced village savings groups to at least lower other problems on household level.
