Mozambican Man Arrested for Murder of 5-Year-Old Daughter in Mchinji

Police in Mchinji have arrested Perete Phiri aged 28, a Mozambican national, on suspicion that he assaulted and murdered his 5 year-old daughter in Kachira Village, Traditional Authority Zulu in Mchinji.

Police have established that the suspect, Perete Phiri married a Malawian woman with whom together had a daughter, Patience Phiri (now deceased)

Upon the two (parents) divorcing due to family misunderstandings, they lived in neighbouring villages while the suspect lived with the daughter and married another wife but cautioned her not visit her mother.

On April 8, 2025, the daughter sneaked into her mother’s house and that did not please the father (suspect) upon finding out who later assaulted her severely and eventually sustained head injuries and bruises.

During the same night, the suspect took the daughter to Ludzi Parish Clinic to recieve treatment where she died while receiving treatment.

Police learned about the death of the young child lately, and visited the scene and advised the Village Headman not to go ahead with burial processes until postmortem is done.

Autopsy results revealed that the death was due to head injuries secondary to assault.

Police immediately arrested the suspect and he will soon appear before the court to answer the charge of Murder.

Perete Phiri hails from Simbireko Village, Chief Mphonde in Mozambique.