A Malawian 10-year-old boy is in police custody at Nkhunga Police Station in Nkhotakota for allegedly murdering a 13-year-old girl identified as Edah Eliya Phiri.

The suspect hails from Gwaza Village in the area of Senior Chief Kanyenda in Nkhotakota while the deceased was from Manota Village in the same area.

This incident occurred on 24 May, 2013 at around 6:30 pm at the premises of a church during overnight prayers.

Nkhunga Police Spokesperson Austin Kaunda said the deceased uncle, Anthony Manota, 50, who is a village headman and also a member of the church told the police that on the fateful day, his family was preparing to attend and host visitors who were supposed to attend the prayers.

“The girl was sent to collect maize flour from another church member who was staying some metres away from the church in order to prepare food for visitors.

“On her way back, she found the suspect playing with his friends near the church. The suspect approached her with a hug, but she resisted,” he said.

Kaunda said all of a sudden the suspect grabbed the deceased and stabbed her on the neck with a sharp knife then he ran away.

“The deceased ran for her life to her parents while bleeding profusely. Her parents tried to rush with her to a health facility, but their efforts proved futile as the girl died on the way.

“The body was taken to Matiki Clinic for postmortem and the results showed that her death was due to severe loss of blood,” the police publicist said.

Kaunda said Nkhunga Police with assistance from members of community policing from Manota Village conducted joint man-hunt which resulted to the arrest of the suspect on 27 May, 2013 at Chintheche in Nkhata Bay where he hid under the protection of his parents.

He is expected to appear before court after being interviewed by officers from Nkhotakota District Social Welfare Office.