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The local media has reported that Malawi has locked its borders following a spike in the Coronavirus pandemic in the country.

The southern African country is also restricting numbers at public gatherings including religious ones to no more than 100 people, local media reported.

The presidential task force on COVID-19 said borders should be closed for two weeks with effect from December 22, according to a report by news website Malawi 24.

Information Minister Gospel Kazako said only Malawians returning home and people providing essential services would be allowed to enter through the borders.

Airports will remain open because, as the task force argued, it is easier to track people arriving in the country through that avenue.

Malawi has recorded 6 221 cases in total of the coronavirus first detected in China a year ago. Of these, 187 people have died while 5 675 have recovered. About 1 275 infections were imported while 4 927 were locally transmitted.

On Monday 41 new cases were reported, of which 38 were imported.

Broadcast station Zodiak reported that 23 buses carrying repatriated Malawians from South Africa arrived at the Mwanza border post on December 18.

The government has previously faced resistance in trying to enforce measures aimed at curbing the spread of the virus.

July, newly appointed Attorney-General Chikosa Silungwe urged the presidential task force on COVID-19 not to implement restrictions as there was an injunction in place against them.

In April the Lilongwe High Court granted an injunction to the Human Rights Defenders Coalition, bottle store owners, and some residents preventing then-President Peter Mutharika against locking down the country.

Mutharika had wanted to impose a 21-day lockdown from April 18.

Police in Maara, Tharaka Nithi County area of Kenya are holding a colleague for reportedly sodomizing six teens in his house.

A police report seen by The Nation indicates that on Tuesday, Sub-County Police Commander Mohamed Jarso was informed by a resident that a chief inspector in charge of the Mitheru police post was housing minors whom he was suspected of sodomising.

Upon receiving the information, Mr. Jarso immediately mobilised officers and went to the man’s rented house within Chogoria township.

The officers found four young boys aged between 14 and 15 and two young adults aged 18 and 19 sleeping on the floor inside the house. 

Upon interrogation, the officers established that all six were from Ndunguri Primary School in Ntumu village. They were rescued and taken to safety at Chogoria Police Station. 

“Upon interrogation, the boys said that the officer in question had been sodomising them,” read part of the report. 

The senior officer was arrested and locked up at Chogoria Police station awaiting arraignment in court upon completion of investigations.

The Nation also learned that the children’s parents have been contacted. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) thanked members of the public who provided information leading to the arrest.

“Equally, we appeal to Kenyans to continue making such reports anonymously, through the DCI emergency toll-free line 0800722203, for decisive action by our detectives,” DCI said on its Twitter page.