Police in Nkhatabay district is keeping in custody a 51-year-old Chinese national identified as Chen Shiliang on allegations that he sexually assaulted two Malawian girls.

Nkhatabay Police Station Public Relations Officer Kondwani James has confirmed the development while identifying the victims as Nellie Rashid, aged 24, and Benezia Kadango, aged 26.

According to James, both Shiliang and the victims work at China Civil Engineering Construction Cooperation (CCECC), a construction company that is carrying out a water project in the district.

The two work with the company in the cafeteria department.

Police say the two reported that the suspect has been harassing them sexually by touching their buttocks and breasts when they are working since May this year.

Shiliang did not change his behavior before the two reported to police, despite being reported to the company’s Human Resource Manager on several occasions.

Police then instituted investigations into the matter which led to the arrest of the suspect on Monday, June 28, 2021.

Shiliang has since been charged with indecent assault on females which is contrary to section 137 (1) of the Penal Code and he will appear before the court of law soon.