Malawi : three refugee women, including a Burundian woman, accuse a police officer of sexual harassment and rape

SOS Médias Burundi

Dzaleka, April 30, 2025 – Three refugee women, including a Burundian woman, have filed a complaint of sexual harassment and rape against a police officer assigned to the Dzaleka refugee camp in central Malawi. The alleged victims, all pregnant and tested positive for HIV, claim to have been sexually abused by the officer, who offered them money or services in exchange for sexual favors.

The case broke on Tuesday, although the events date back to earlier this year. One of the women, originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, alerted medical staff during a prenatal checkup. When asked about the father’s identity, she replied that it was rape and named a police officer stationed in Dzaleka. She also mentioned two other victims.

Alerted, the police went to the scene. Medical examinations confirmed that the three women were approximately three months pregnant and all HIV-positive.

“They clearly identified the perpetrator. It was a police officer, whose full name they gave,” a medical source told SOS Médias Burundi, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The suspect, recently transferred to Dowa town center, was arrested on Wednesday. His trial is scheduled for the end of this week. “We will accompany these women to court. Justice must be served,” said a community leader from the camp, who accuses the police officer of repeated abuse.

“He offered administrative services to men in exchange for money and demanded sexual relations from the women,” he added.

The revelation of this case sent shockwaves through Dzaleka, home to more than 50,000 refugees, including approximately 11,000 Burundians. Several residents are calling on the Malawian justice system to sit exceptionally in the camp to avoid any form of intimidation.

“If this police officer gets away with it, what will happen to the other silent women?” asks Marie*, a Burundian refugee.

“We already live in fear, but this is beyond all fear. Justice must be done.”

*Name changed to protect anonymity.