Police in Mangochi have arrested A 22-year-old fisherman for hacking the head of a 13-year boy, Bashir Haji, with the intention to kill and use him for ritual purposes.

Spokesperson for Mangochi Police Amina Tepani Daudi  gas confirmed the arrest and identified the suspect as Mofolo Yohane.

It is alleged that during the afternoon of August 24 2024, the victim and three friends, aged 11 and 10, went to graze goats in a nearby bush within Chiponda village under Traditional Authority Namabvi in the district.

“Suddenly, the suspect emerged from the other side of the bush with a sharp panga knife in his hands and started chasing the minors with the victim staying behind to protect the younger ones and was captured,” Daudi said.

She added that the suspect hacked the minor several times in the head while his friends ran away shouting for help.

“He dragged the victim a few meters from the scene, covered him with leaves with the intention to return later, and then fled,” Daudi revealed.

The other three informed the villagers, who rushed to the place and found the boy unconscious in a pool of blood and he was taken to Namakasu Health Center before he was referred to Mangochi District Hospital, where he is still receiving treatment for sustaining severe head injuries.

The suspect who hails from William village, Traditional Authority Nankumba in Mangochi, was arrested on August 26th after a manhunt launched by police and he was found hiding in Ngapani.

“Upon interrogation, the suspect revealed that he was instructed by a herbalist to bring the eyelashes and bathing water of a dead person to boost his business and he decided to kill the innocent boy after failing to find a dead body,” Daudi said.

He has been charged with attempted murder contrary to section 223 of the Penal Code and he will appear in court after the completion of paperwork.