Liwonde Court Acquits Elderly Couple Over Alleged Possession Of Human Body Part (Belly Buton)
Published on January 22, 2026 at 11:22 AM by Evance Kapito
The First Grade Magistrate Court in Liwonde, Machinga, has found an elderly couple not guilty of charges involving the alleged possession of a child’s umbilical cord.
According to a statement by the Malawi Legal Aid Bureau (LAB) on their Facebook page, the couple identified as 73-year-old Beston Liwonde and 69-year-old Roseby Kennedy were arrested on May 26, 2024. Their arrest followed statements from other suspects previously detained in connection with the case, who claimed to have obtained the body part from the couple.
In his ruling, First Grade Magistrate Maxwell Boaz noted that while the couple are traditional healers, the prosecution failed to provide evidence proving they were found in possession of the child’s umbilical cord. Consequently, the magistrate ordered their immediate release, declaring them innocent of the charges.
The couple hails from Kawelama Village in Machinga District.
Source: Legal Aid Bureau
