Police in Malawi’s commercial capital Blantyre on New Year’s Day rescued a middle-aged woman who was about to be raped by minibus touts at Mudi River bridge near the city’s main market after they undressed her for wearing a miniskirt.
The incident happened when the lady was coming from Blantyre Market around 9 am.
An eye witness told Nyasa Times traffic police vehicle whisked the woman away after four minibus call boys insulted and undressed her.
“One grabbed her and pulled off her miniskirt while others took off her blouse and bra”.
The eye witness said this confused the young lady, who out of anger and total frustration, took off her under wear and shoes and threw them away to the surprise of the onlookers.
However this forced some of her attackers to want to rape her.
Our source said none of the onlookers came to the rescue of the lady until traffic police officers intervened.
However some eyewitness told Nyasa Times that the girl was herself to blame because of the way she dressed.
“We have seen women putting on miniskirts but that was too much and one would wonder the motive of dressing like that,” said a business lady at Blantyre market.
Another eye witness said he suspects the girl was mentally ill.
“She is a very beautiful lady , smart and light in completion but the way she removed her pants and shoes and throw them away seemed she is mentally ill or she was drunk may be..”
Similar incidents happened last year when vendors in the country’s major cities were undressing women wearing miniskirts and trousers claiming it were un Malawian.