The Ministry of Gender Community Development and Social Welfare in conjunction with the Police has rescued about seven underage girls who, allegedly, have been having sex with older men at Bvumbwe Trading Center.
Working on a tip from well wishers the minister responsible Patricia Kaliati alerted police officers from Limbe police station who are now keeping the minors and they have since arrested their alleged abusers.
Speaking to MBC Online Kaliati said her ministry has been receiving reports that some men who ply trade at the market during the night sleep around with young girls aged between 13-16 years.
“It is worrisome that some ill minded people have turned the market into a place of abusing our little girls, we will not relent these perpetrators will face justice,” said Kaliati.
During the raid the police found the girls in makeshift Shabeens,video show halls within the market and in rest houses.
Meanwhile, Kaliati has asked Thyolo District Council to formulate bylaws that will be governing operations of markets so that they should not be hubs of crime.
Kaliati hinted that upon engagement with the parents of victims some of the girls will be taken to safe homes.
The police team was led by Israel Kwalira, officer responsible for operations at the station. According to Kwalira the nabbed perpetrators who are 12 in total will face a number of charges