Police in Mponela, Dowa have arrested a 37-year- old man for allegedly defiling an 11- year- old girl.

Mponela Police Deputy Publicist Macpatson Msadala confirmed of the development.

According to Msadala, the suspect Josiah Isaac followed the girl to a maize field where she went to pluck pumpkin leaves and allegedly defiled her there.

The suspect is alleged to have given the victim k150 to silence her from reporting the matter to her parents. Nevertheless, the girl reported the matter to her mother who then took it up to police.

Isaac hails from Sakali village TA Chakhaza in the district.