Malawi president launches anti-child trafficking campaign

Malawi's president, Bingu wa Mutharika, has launched Malawi's first ever anti-child trafficking campaign in a bid to curb the practice, now on the increase in Malawi.
The initiative was launched on June 16, 2010 in Lilongwe, with the president promising to clamp down on child traffickers.
"Our children are being trafficked, and, often, the destination is South Africa and other European countries. We want to stop this," said an angry Mutharika.
Mutharika added that some children are being used to smuggle illegal drugs such as Indian hemp, cocaine, among others.
"Traffickers staff these illicit drugs in the (children's) stomachs, on the pretext that they are pregnant. Border officials just watch because they are unaware of the tricks. We want to end this," said Mutharika.
The President said child trafficking was on the increase in Malawi, accusing some high ranking officials of perpetuating the practice.
"If an honourable individual takes part in child trafficking and abuse, they are not honourable. Let the law take its course. I am angered by the soft sentences meted on offenders. Six months! You must be joking," he said.