Malawian police arrest ex-president’s stepson on human trafficking charges – The North Africa Post

In connection with the discovery last month, of a mass cemetery containing 30 bodies believed to belong to illegal Ethiopian immigrants, the Malawian police arrested Peter Mutharika’s stepson.

Tadikira Mafubza who is a son of former President Peter Mutharika’s wife, turned himself in to police, according to the Malawian police.
The bodies of 30 people were exhumed from Mtangatanga forest, Mzimba district, on 18 November 2022.

According to the police, this arrest is the first since the discovery and excavation of the mass grave. “We have arrested him because we have evidence that he is connected to the case that we are investigating, which is to do with a mass grave that was found in Mzimba district, where 30 bodies of suspected victims of human trafficking, supposed to be Ethiopians, were exhumed,” Peter Kalaya, the spokesperson for the Malawi Police Service, said.

According to local media reports, police also took a vehicle that was used to transport suspected Ethiopian migrants being trafficked to South Africa. “At the moment I will not be able to confirm or deny that because any information to do with that, I am afraid, might jeopardize the stage of our investigation,” Kalaya added.

Authorities discovered temporary travel documents that included the names and nationalities for the deceased during the initial police investigation. Police also discovered SIM cards from Ethiopian mobile network providers.

Five people were arrested by the Malawi Police in connection with the deaths of 30 victims of human trafficking.

All suspects have been arrested and are due to appear before a Lilongwe court on Friday, 25 November 2022 to answer murder, human trafficking, or other related charges.

Kalaya also stated that the evidence collected links all five suspects to the case. He also points out the role each played. Kalaya has since impounded 2 vehicles in connection with the case.

Police are still investigating the matter and are looking for other suspects.