Police in Mulanje are keeping in custody a 50-year-old village headman for allegedly difiling a 12-year-old girl.

The suspect has been identified Jaison Makaniko who committed the offence on February 6 when the girl went out to look for her parents’ goats.

Reports say on the day of the incident, the suspect called the victim but she ignored.

Following this, the suspect followed the girl where he told her not to shout threatening to kill her.

He undressed the girl and forced himself on her.

After seeing that the girl took too long before returning home, the mother followed her and the two met on the way where the girl narrated the matter to her mother.

The mother reported the issue to police where a medical report was issued to the girl for examination.

Results for the tests done at Mulanje District Hospital showed that the victim was raped.

Following this, police instituted investigations and arrested the suspect.

He is to appear before court to answer a charges accordingly.

Makaniko come from Mbawala village senior Chief Nkanda in the district.