Police in Lilongwe have arrested a 32-year-old man, Aubrey Madzinkusamba of Likuni, on suspicion of throwing his two children, aged 8 and 4, into a well with the intent to kill them.
Lilongwe police spokesperson Hastings Chigalu said the children remained in the well, which is 30 meters deep, for three days.
It is reported that the man did this because he and his wife both wanted to ‘lose’ following the breakdown of their marriage.
“Following the children’s disappearance, their mother repeatedly asked their father where they were, and he kept saying that the children were being kept in a safe place.
“But after three days, the mother reported the matter to the police, who then questioned the man. After initially denying any wrongdoing, he eventually confessed to throwing the children into the well,” said Chigalu.
Upon hearing this, the police rushed to the well and found the children still alive, but water had reached their throats.
“Police and villagers worked together using a rope tied to a bucket, which helped to lift the children out of the well.
“The children were taken to Bwaila Hospital and later transferred to Kamuzu Central Hospital, where they are receiving medical care,” Chigalu explained.
Madzinkusamba is expected to appear before court soon.
