Reports have indicated that Sexual offences in Mangochi have increased by 20 percent in the past 6 months compared to the same time last year, according to police.

Mangochi Police Spokesperson, Sub Inspector Amina Tepani Daudi has disclosed this on Monday.

She said that despite the district registering a 16 percent decrease in overall crimes from January to June 2021, 48 cases of defilement were registered compared to 40 reported same time in 2020.

“According to our crime report, there has been a 16 percent decline in overall crimes from January to June 2021 as in the first six months of year 2020 a total of 1, 027 criminal cases were recorded while in 2021 the station has registered 886 cases,” said Tepani Daudi.

Tapani Daudi added that even though there is a decrease in crime in general, sexual offences have slightly gone up as in 2020 only 40 cases of defilement were registered compared to 48 which have been reported this year.

She said the figures have increased despite efforts by the police and other stakeholders like social welfare, Yoneco and World Vision which are aimed at keeping the girl child safe from all kinds of abuse.

Meanwhile, Tepani Daudi said as police, they have noted with great concern that most of the perpetrators of defilement are close relatives, especially stepfathers.