An 18-year-old man has been arrested in Mzuzu city, northern part of Malawi, for allegedly offering two children aged four and seven for sale at K900,000 in Rumphi district.
Nothern region police spokesperson Norah Chimwala identified the suspect as Rajab Phiri of Nsomba Village in Mangochi.

He has since been charged with the offence of child stealing.

Chimwala claimed Phiri offered the children to Richard Nyirenda at Chinyolo in Rumphi at an initial price of K1 million before settling for K900, 000.

The police however, did not give reasons why Phiri was selling the children.

Malawi prohibits all forms of trafficking through various laws, including the Employment Act and Articles 135 through 147 and 257 through 269 of the Penal Code, though the country lacks specific anti-trafficking laws.

The penalties prescribed under these statutes range from small fines to 10 years’ imprisonment; these penalties are sufficiently stringent and commensurate with punishments prescribed for other serious crimes.