Malawian teen rescued in Lusaka in human trafficking, sexual abuse case; suspect in custody

Police in Lusaka have launched investigations into a case of human trafficking involving an 18-year-old Malawian girl who was lured into Zambia under false pretenses and later subjected to sexual abuse.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by Police Spokesperson, Rae Hamoonga, the victim, a school leaver from Malembo Village in Lilongwe District, filed a complaint at Kanyama Police Station on May 14, 2025.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the trafficking incident occurred on August 18, 2024, at an unknown time along the Zambia-Malawi border.

The suspect, identified as Paul Phiri, 25, a Malawian national residing in Lusaka’s John Laing Compound, allegedly promised the victim a job as a housemaid in Zambia, claiming his employer needed a cleaner.

Phiri is reportedly known to the victim through family acquaintances in Malawi.

However, upon her arrival in Zambia, Phiri confiscated the victim’s phone and began sexually abusing her, resulting in a pregnancy.

The victim, now five months pregnant, was later denied food and eventually expelled from the suspect’s residence.

“The abuse is reported to have occurred continuously from the time of her arrival in Zambia until her expulsion,” Hamoonga stated.

Following the report, police officers conducted a follow-up operation at Phiri’s residence, where they discovered a second female victim, aged 25, also a Malawian national from Shamama Village, Kasungu District.

Hamoonga said the second victim told officers she had been lured into Zambia through Facebook after Phiri promised to marry her.

“The suspect is currently in police custody as investigations continue. A docket has been opened and the case is being treated as human trafficking, in contravention of the laws of Zambia,” he said.

Police have since arranged for the two victims to be relocated to a safe home and are providing them with necessary support in line with victim protection protocols.

Hamoonga reaffirmed Police commitment to combating human trafficking and urged members of the public to remain vigilant against false promises of employment or marriage, especially those originating online or across borders.

“Anyone with information that may aid in the investigation of this or similar cases is encouraged to report to the nearest police station,” he added.

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