10-Year-Old Boy Jailed at Mpemba Reformatory Center Over Serial Theft in Thyolo
Published on November 7, 2025 at 10:09 AM by Evance Kapito
The First Grade Magistrate Court in Thyolo has sentenced a 10-year-old boy to the Mpemba Reformatory Centre after he was found guilty of breaking into houses and stealing various items, including 15 kilograms of maize and K10,000 cash.
The boy was also convicted of stealing four solar lamps, selling one of them for K5,000.
According to State Prosecutor Dyson Peter Mozhent from Luchenza Police, the sentence is fitting, as it will allow the child to be in a safer environment and receive rehabilitation.
“Residents of Luchenza wanted to burn him alive, but we decided to hand him over to the court because he’s a minor. The boy has been involved in more than five similar cases in the past,” Mozhent said.
Meanwhile, Victor Daudi, a child protection officer from the Thyolo Social Welfare Office, expressed concern over the rising number of juvenile offenders in the district. He attributed the trend to poor care and neglect, especially among orphans.
“We urge parents and guardians to take responsibility and care for the children under their watch, particularly orphans, as they deserve equal protection and love,” Daudi emphasized.
