Mphuka Village in Thyolo fell silent on the morning four girls aged between 11 and 16 left home to collect firewood. When they returned, their lives had changed forever.

According to their families, men at a nearby initiation camp allegedly intercepted the girls near a river, dragged them into the camp, stripped them and assaulted them. Alfandika Bizwick, an uncle to one of the victims, alleges that two men sexually assaulted one of the girls on August 14, 2026.

"The girls went to the bushes to collect firewood when some men caught them and took them to the camp where they undressed them. On the way to the camp, it was reported that two men defiled one of the girls in turns," Bizwick narrated.

The girls reportedly bathed before being taken to hospital the following day. Medical tests later returned negative results, something Bizwick believes may have affected the evidence.

"This was done after the girls had taken baths. That is why we believe the results were negative, but she was defiled," he said.

Village Headman Mphuka initially sought to address the matter through community structures before referring it to law enforcement.

"I summoned the accused men and the initiators to establish what had happened before referring the matter to the police for further assistance," he said.

But residents refused to let the matter end there. The case was reported to Livunzu Police Unit in Chikwawa before being referred to Thyolo Police. Two weeks later, no arrests had been made.

Thyolo Police spokesperson Rebecca Kashoti confirmed that a manhunt is underway.

"Some men at an initiation camp allegedly accosted the girls while they were fetching firewood near the camp. The girls were reportedly undressed and indecently assaulted after they had gone to collect firewood in the morning. Two men reportedly defiled one of the girls in turns," Kashoti said.

She added: "We have launched a manhunt and joined hands with our colleagues from Chikwawa in searching for the suspects, who are currently on the run."

Thyolo District Social Welfare Officer Tobby Milanzie said a joint team from Social Welfare and the police responded immediately.

"We provided psychosocial support to the victims and follow-up support will continue through the Child Protection Worker. Case management has commenced, and we plan to engage partners in convening an interface meeting with chiefs and initiation counsellors to develop action points," Milanzie said.

A Pattern of Harm

The Mphuka case is not an isolated incident.

Just a day later, on August 15, 2026, Senior Chief Inkosi Bvumbwe decommissioned an initiation camp in Kankhomba Village after a nine-year-old boy died following a traditional circumcision.

A post-mortem examination found that the boy died from excessive blood loss.

Inkosi Bvumbwe said the procedure had been performed by unqualified individuals.

"I will not allow anyone to carry out circumcisions on children at initiation camps unless they are trained medical personnel. I have also summoned Chiefs Kankhomba and Sing'anga to explain how this initiation ceremony was allowed to take place in my area without my knowledge," he said.

The chief described the incident as a source of shame for the area.

The area falls under Limbe Police Station. Its Deputy Public Relations Officer, Demetria Banda, confirmed the death and said the cause was haemorrhage, with no foul play suspected.

For child rights advocates and justice campaigners, the message is clear: tradition must never be used as a justification for harm.

Citizens for Justice and Equity Executive Director Agape Khombe condemned the death.

"No cultural practice should cost a child his life. While we respect tradition, initiation ceremonies must comply with minimum health and safety standards. The use of untrained practitioners is unacceptable," Khombe said.

He has since called on the Ministry of Health and traditional leaders to inspect initiation camps and ensure that only qualified health personnel conduct circumcisions.

Culture Should Not Become a Platform for Abuse

Child rights activist and Bwenzi la Ana Executive Director Amos Chibwana was equally direct.

"Culture should remain a source of identity, not a platform for child abuse. What happened to the girls must be thoroughly investigated, and those responsible must be brought to book. We appeal to the justice system not to sit on this matter, but to remain vigilant and pursue the investigation," he said.

Chibwana also urged parents to be more vigilant in protecting children from such dangers.

"Parents are encouraged to take care of their children and avoid exposing them to risks like these," he advised.

Traditional leaders, often seen as custodians of culture, have also spoken out strongly.

Paramount Chief Kaduya of the Lhomwe condemned the alleged assault in Mphuka, describing it as a betrayal of cultural values.

"This act is shameful and goes against everything we stand for as Lhomwe people. Our culture respects children and upholds dignity. The law must take its course so that justice is served," Kaduya said.

She added: "What they were supposed to do was take the girls back to their homes, not subject them to this treatment. It is deeply disheartening."

Her comments carry significant weight. In many rural communities, initiation camps operate under the oversight of traditional authorities. By shutting down camps and summoning local leaders to account, chiefs are sending a clear message: culture has a place, but not at the expense of a child's safety or life.

The Law Is Clear

Malawi's laws leave little room for ambiguity.

The Child Care, Protection and Justice Act prohibits social or customary practices that are harmful to a child's health, welfare, or development. The law also empowers social welfare officers to remove children from harmful environments where necessary.

The Penal Code equally treats sexual violence against children as a serious criminal offence. Defilement of a girl under the age of 16 is punishable by severe penalties, including life imprisonment. Such cases are handled through Victim Support Units and Child Justice Courts.

Every school holiday, thousands of children across Malawi's Southern Region attend initiation camps to learn cultural values and traditions. For many families, these ceremonies are symbols of identity, belonging and cultural continuity.

But for four girls in Mphuka and one boy in Kankhomba, what should have been a period of learning became a story of trauma, loss and unanswered questions.

As the manhunt continues in Thyolo, families like Bizwick's are demanding justice.

"We also reported this case to the District Social Welfare Office because we want justice to prevail," he said.

Chiefs such as Inkosi Bvumbwe and Paramount Chief Kaduya are demanding accountability. Child rights advocates are demanding reform. And the law demands compliance.

Because culture should build children, not break them.