Police have arrested a 39-year-old Mazabuka man for allegedly defiling and murdering an eight-year-old.

Police spokesperson confirmed in a statement today that Jack Habwenzo, murdered the child after collecting K150 debt from her parents.

“We have arrested a man identified as Jack Habwenzo aged 39 of Luchu area, Chief Hanjalika in Mazabuka District also of Matilyo compound in Kapiri Mposhi for allegedly defiling and murdering a female juvenile aged eight years of Matilyo compound in Kapiri Mposhi  District. This occurred between yesterday, 17th March, 2017 at about 20 00 hours and 18th March, 2017 at 01 00 hours.  The suspect who was coming from a drinking spree had gone to the residence of the uncle to the victim to collect his balance of K 150. The suspect who is a well known person to the victim’s family then told the minor to escort him outside the house so that he could buy her some sweets and went away with her,” stated Katongo.

“After realizing that the girl took long to come back, relatives made a follow up. They heard some noise from the nearby bush and later found the suspect in the act of defiling the girl. They then picked the victim and rushed her to Kapiri Mposhi District Hospital where she was pronounced dead.”