Police in Thyolo are keeping in custody a pastor for defiling 16 year old girl.
John Mwanvani, 27, is a reverend at Living Word Evangelical Church in the area of Traditional Authority Chimaliro in Thyolo.
Amos Tione Spokesperson for Thyolo Police Station said between 2014 and 2019 Mwanvani had an affair with a 16 year old girl.
The girl was one of his congregants and he eventually, allegedly impregnated her.
She gave birth but Mwanvani denied the responsibility and refused to assist the girl and the child.
Later, the matter was reported to police where a defilement case was opened.
The suspect is in police custody and will be taken to court soon.
Mwanvani comes from Ngolongoliwa Village in the area of Traditional Authority Ngolongoliwa in Thyolo.
In a related development Thyolo Police Station is also keeping in custody Victor Masangano aged 52, a reverend at the New Charismatic Episcopal Church within Chimaliro area and Peter Frank, 21, who were also seeing another 16 year old girl.
The matter is under investigation.
Victor Masangano hails from Nang’ombe Village while Peter Frank comes from Kamkwita Village, both under Traditional Authority Chimaliro in Thyolo.
