Police at Mponela in Dowa are keeping in custody Senior group headman Mangadzi for allegedly defiling and impregnating a 15 year-old girl.

The 35-year-old traditional leader, real name Ronald Kachikhade, committed the offence in August this year at Chakhaza village in the area of Traditional Authority Chakhaza in the district.

The victim, who wrote the last primary school leaving certificate examination (PSLCE), was in a relationship with the traditional leader.

On December 12 this year, mother of the victim suspected to see signs of pregnancy on her daughter and asked her the one responsible.

This led to the arrest of Senior group village head Mangadzi.

The suspect will appear before court soon to answer charges of defilement which contraveness section 138 of the penal code.

Kachikhade hails from the area of Traditional Authority Chakhaza in Dowa District.