Tanzanian Truck Driver Arrested for Allegedly Rap!ng Female Passenger in Nkhotakota

A 46-year-old Tanzanian national, Twaha Salimu, has been arrested in Dwangwa, Nkhotakota District, on allegations that he raped a woman trader who was traveling from Mzuzu.

Nkhunga Police Station spokesperson Andrew Kamanga, has confirmed the arrest and said the incident occurred during the night while the suspect was transporting the woman in a truck.

Kamanga stated that Salimu, who was driving a truck with registration numbers T580 EKU and an additional plate T672 EKT, picked up the woman in Mzuzu. She was en route to Neno District for business.

“When they reached Dwangwa, Salimu told the woman that he could not continue the journey and suggested they spend the night there. About an hour later, he locked the vehicle doors, undressed the woman, and allegedly raped her,” Kamanga said.

Kamanga added that after the assault, the woman asked to go outside, which gave her an opportunity to report the matter to Nkhunga Police.

Upon realizing the woman had gone missing, Salimu panicked, offloaded her belongings, and attempted to flee. However, the truck was later intercepted at Liwaladzi checkpoint within the same district.