An 18-year-old bicycle taxi operator at Dwangwa Trading Centre (name withheld) is battling for his life at Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) after a group of assailants severely assaulted him before chopping off his genitals.

Nkhunga Police Public Relations Officer Sub Inspector Laban Makalani confirmed the development with Malawi News Agency (Mana) saying the incident occurred Tuesday at Nkhono Fishing Beach, inside Illovo Sugar Estates in Dwangwa, Nkhotakota District.

He added that Nkhunga Police Station recovered the genitals and arrested one assailant in connection to the case while others are on the run.

Makalani identified the arrested suspect as 41 year old Rangerson Mashikudu of Nkhono Village, T/A Tengani in Nsanje district.

“The group of muggers had approached a certain fisherman within the area and offered him to buy fresh male private parts which they alleged to have had in possession. Following the development, the fisherman mobilized members of the general public in an attempt to arrest the criminals. In the process they managed to apprehend one and recovered the genitals.

“Few minutes later, the victim was discovered lying in deep agony in a nearby bush. He sustained heavy cuts in the head and limbs including a broken jaw beside the genital mutilation. Community members, with the help of KK Security officers who operate within the sugar estate rushed the man alongside his genitals to Matiki Health Center where he was referred to Nkhotakota district hospital before being further referred to KCH where he is currently receiving treatment,” said the PRO.

He established that medical personnel had so far failed to fix the man’s genitals.

He further explained that Police have launched a serious man hunt to find some accomplices (names withheld) who are on the run.

Police have charged the suspect with an offence of attempted murder contrary to section 223 of the penal code and he will soon appear before court.