Child Traffickers Earn 14 years in Thyolo

The two pleaded guilty an asked for leniency for being first offenders The two pleaded guilty an asked for leniency for being first offenders - pic by Rabecca Kashoti

Two human traffickers from Chikwawa have been sentenced to 14 years imprisonment each in Thyolo for trafficking and offering to sell an eight-year old boy at K2 million.

State prosecutor, Sub-Inspector Felix Senzani, told the court that the convicts Kawasi Chidothi, 35, and Enesoni Finiyasi, 19, were arrested days after they trafficked the boy at Bereu primary school in Chikwawa with the intention of selling him to a Thyolo-based businessman, Ever 'Manjolo' Lanken.

Senzani said they trafficked him through one of them who was a neighbour to the survivor.

In court, the duo pleaded guilty to the charge of child trafficking and prayed for lenient sentences since they are first offenders.

However, Sub-Inspector Senzani stated in submission that the convicts needed no mercy because a life would have been lost and that the two proved to be a threat to the civilised society, hence a deterrent punishment.

First Grade Magistrate, Kondani Chinangwa agreed with state before he meted out a 14-year prison sentence.

Meanwhile, Board of directors chairperson for Malawi Network Against Child Trafficking, Rodrick Mulonya has applauded the communities, police and the court for their swift interventions and justice delivery on the matter, promising to investigate on why mentioned businesspersons are not facing the law.

"We thank those who have taken up the citizenry role to save this boy because we need to protect one another. It is unacceptable for one to be involved in trade of human beings by all standards on earth," he said.

However, Mulonya says they are currently lobbying parliament for the inclusion of human trafficking subjects in the country's curriculum to ensure everyone is aware of the vice before it takes place.

Mulonya added: "We need to sensitize everyone. That is why we pleaded with Parliament when we met parliamentary committee on defence and security that we need to include this in our curriculum, education system at primary, secondary and tertiary level."

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