Terrible: The Young into criminalities in Phalombe

Phalombe district has reported 70 cases involving minors from January to May this year, an increase from the 40 cases recorded during the same timeframe last year, authorities say.

Assistant Social Welfare Officer, Stanley Gundeni, saysthat among these cases, 36 were related to theft, seven involved rape and defilement, 13 were classified as burglary, and 14 pertained to trespassing.

Gundeni mentioned that 29 young offenders have been sent to the Mpemba and Chilwa Reformatory Centres.

“Of the remaining cases, 27 were diverted, and 14 young offenders were granted bail while awaiting trial,” Gundeni stated.

Child rights advocate Amos Chibwana described these statistics as alarming and urged stakeholders to take immediate action to reverse this trend.