Authorities in Malawi have detained a 12-year-old Zambian juvenile who crossed into the country without legal documentation.
The boy, identified as Patson Mtonga, was cornered in Kasungu National Park while his two friends managed to escape.
The three children, all under the age of 14, had crossed into the park for fishing before encountering a wildlife police patrol officer.
Police identified the juveniles as Patson Mtonga, 12, Gift Mwale, 13, and Matthews Zgambo, 10, all of Chikalema Village in Mwase area.
Eastern Province Police Commissioner Robertson Mweemba confirmed the matter to the media.
“On 8th March, 2026 at around 19:00 hours, we received a WhatsApp message from Malawi police that a male juvenile believed to be a Zambian national was in their custody,” Mr Mweemba said,
Mr Mwemba said that the boy was caught in Kasungu National Park on 5th March, 2026 around 14:00 hours by a Malawian Wildlife Police Officer on patrol.
The boy’s father, Simon Mtonga, 40, has confirmed that it is his son being held by Malawi authorities.
Mr Mweemba further stated that the matter was not reported at any police station in Zambia by the parents of the three children.
He added that the two other juveniles who escaped have since returned home and informed their parents.
The Police Commissioner said Malawian police, in conjunction with Zambia’s Department of Immigration, are making arrangements to have the juvenile released and repatriated.
