The police in Chikwawa are keeping in custody 22-year-old Mingalasi Katandika on suspicion that he defiled a 3-year-old girl.

Katandika allegedly forced himself on the child on the evening of 7 December at Timbenawo Village in Traditional Authority Chapananga in the district.

According to the girl’s mother, the victim went out playing with her friends.

Whilst playing, she was immediately seized by the suspect and dragged into his house where he ended up defiling her.

Later, he gave her a K20 note so as to seal her mouth.

The child’s mother, however, became suspicious after discovering some liquid stuff on the child’s dress.

The victim revealed about anything, prompting the mother to report to police.

Medical examination on the child disclosed that she had really been defiled.

Police arrested the suspect and charged him with defilement.

On Thursday, he was taken to court where he denied the charge.

The case is still ongoing.

Katandika comes from Timbenawo Village in T/A Chapananga’s area in the Lower Shire district of Chikwawa.