Police at Jenda, Mzimba, have arrested 66-year-old Maureen Yiombe for forcing her 14-year-old granddaughter into marriage and attempting child trafficking.
Also arrested in connection with the crimes is 24-year-old Mayeso Phiri.
Publicist for Jenda Police, Macfarlen Mseteka, said the arrest followed a complaint by the victim, who tipped off Police officers on the day she was supposed to be sent to South Africa to join her arranged husband.
Mseteka said the victim, whose parents are divorced, lived with her grandmother, Maureen Yiombe.
In February, Yiombe arranged her 14-year-old granddaughter’s marriage to a man in South Africa, receiving one cow as lobola. The victim, unhappy with the arrangement, attempted suicide.
Yiombe then falsified her age to obtain a passport for her. The man covered all expenses and supported the girl through Yiombe. On the day she was set to leave, the victim escaped and reported the incident to the police.
The two have been charged with forcing a child into marriage and attempted child trafficking and will soon appear before court.
