Police in Balaka arrested a 27-year-old pastor on Monday 10th August, for allegedly defiling and impregnating his 15-year-old church member.
Nsanje Police Publicist, Sub Inspector Agnes Zalakoma identified the suspect as Joseph Chiwaya of Kaleso Village in Traditional Authority Mbenje in the district.
Zalakoma said the malpractice has been happening from February 2019 to May, 2020 in the village and district.
She said it was established that the victim used to go for church prayers at the pastor’s ministry which is situated at Kaleso Village at Bangula.
“It is alleged that on July 3, 2020 the victim’s mother observed some strange signs with victim’s body which prompted her to ask if she was pregnant but she denied.
“The victim later went to Mozambique to visit her relatives and upon her return on July 29, 2020, she revealed to her mother that she was pregnant and that the one responsible for the pregnancy was the pastor,” explained Zalakoma.
The Nsanje Police Publicist said the victim’s parents decided to approach the suspect and ask him but he denied to have impregnated the victim.
“The matter was reported to Chiromo Police Post who referred the victim to hospital where she was confirmed to be pregnant and she was also diagnosed with Sexual Transmitted Infections (STIs),” she said.
Zalakoma said the suspect was immediately arrested and charged with defilement and will appear before court soon to answer the charge.
