Police in Dowa have arrested a village chief named Christopher Dyson, 39, on suspicion of raping a 17-year-old girl.

According to a police spokesperson in Dowa, Alice Sitima, the incident occurred on the 20th of last month when the suspect approached the girl at her home while her parents were inside and dragged her to a nearby bush.

Sitima stated that after the incident, the suspect offered the girl K5,000 as a bribe, but she refused, and he subsequently disappeared. The issue was reported to the police, who launched a search for the suspect, leading to his arrest.

According to Sitima, medical reports indicate that the girl sustained injuries.

Dyson will appear before court soon.