Shop Owner Arrested After Boy Found Tied to Tree in Ntchisi

Police in Ntchisi have arrested a 47-year-old grocery shop owner after he allegedly tied a 12-year-old boy to a tree at Chunganiro Trading Centre.

Ntchisi Police spokesperson Salomy Zgambo identified the suspect as Bauleni, a resident of Sungachalo Village under Traditional Authority Malenga.

According to Zgambo, Bauleni had opened his grocery shop for business before temporarily closing it to travel to Ntchisi Boma to order additional goods.

Upon returning, he allegedly discovered that the shop had been broken into and that some cash kept for giving customers change was missing.

While searching the shop, Bauleni reportedly found the 12-year-old boy hiding beneath bags of maize.

Police said Bauleni searched the boy and allegedly found K4,500 in his pocket, comprising K200 and K100 notes.

Instead of reporting the matter to police, Bauleni allegedly tied the boy to a tree outside his shop using a rope.

Concerned members of the public later alerted Ntchisi Police, who rushed to the scene and found the boy still tied to the tree.

Police rescued the child, who was reportedly in good condition.

Bauleni remains in police custody and is expected to appear before court after police complete the necessary paperwork.

He is being held on suspicion of conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.