A 5-year-old girl of Nyimba District of Eastern Province has allegedly been defiled by a 49-year-old man.

The girl was whisked away from her friends as they were playing at a nearby bush near Chikuyu River within Mtendere Compound, where she was molested.

It is believed that the perpetrator lured the children, as he first joined them when they were playing nearby, making them sing and dance, and then took the victim away.

Brief information is that on 22nd January, 2026, around 19:00 hours, the girl was playing near her home with her friends when the perpetrator went to join them.

It was not long before he made the children dance and sing, giving him a chance to take away the 5-year-old girl from her friends.

He took the young girl to a bush and undressed her while he covered his hand on her mouth so that she would not shout and eventually molested her.

After he finished the act, the victim narrated that the perpetrator told her to go home by crossing the Chikuyu River, but that she refused, saying she was afraid that the water would carry her away.

She added that the perpetrator then started following her behind as she was coming out of the bushes until her brother found her.

The brother of the girl was apparently looking for her, and when he found her with the perpetrator, he took them both to their parents.

It was at this point that the girl narrated to her family what the man had done to her.

The parents of the victim then decided to report the matter to the police.

Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba, has confirmed the case to ZANIS, stating that the perpetrator has since been apprehended.

Mr Mweemba also mentioned that a Police Medical Report Form was given to the victim for her to seek medical attention.