Police in Dedza are keeping in custody a husband known as Gladson Jacob Banda and his wife Saukira Saidi for child theft.
Police have also arrested Emily Samalani, mother to Saukira Saidi, and Evidence Jacob, sister to Gladson Jacob for aiding the couple to steal the child according to Public Relations Officer for Dedza Police, Edward Kabango.
“It has been established that on 3rd April, Saukira went to Dauya village where she introduced herself as Eunice Msukwa from Karonga who runs an orphanage in Blantyre,” explained Kabango.
He added; “She told the Village Head that she had authority from the police to adopt a pregnant teenager in the village and wanted to take her to Blantyre.”
The said pregnant girl delivered a baby at Dedza Hospital before she could make it to Blantyre and Saukira later fled with the baby after dumping the mother around the Boma.
Police investigations revealed that Saukira took the baby to Santhe in Kasungu, her home village.
Investigations further revealed that the couple has been married for 7 years without a child of their own though each has two children from previous relations.
Saukira, 30 and her mother Emily, 59 come from Chamkoma village in the area of Traditional Authority Santhe in Kasungu while her husband Gladson, 32 and his sister Evidence, 33 come from Mankhokwe village in the area of Traditional Authority Msakambewa in Dowa.
They will appear in court soon to answer a case of child abduction contrary to Section 78 (1) of the Child Protection Act.
