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| National |
| 6 years IHL for scalding sister-in-law |
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by
Karen Msiska, 05 May 2006
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06:36:20
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The Mzuzu first grade magistrate court has sentenced Wezzie Nyirenda of Enukweni to six years imprisonment with hard labour for scalding her sister-in-law.
The court has also slapped Nyirenda with a K5 000 fine for the offence which police say was “an intention to cause a grievous harm.”
Mzuzu Police public relations officer Edward Longwe said in an interview that the court heard that on 24 January 2006 Nyirenda poured hot oil she was using to bake fritters (mandasi) on Tereza Masamba after a minor family quarrel.
According to Longwe, the accused pleaded for forgiveness before court on grounds that she has a baby, she is an orphan and that any sentence would mean that her marriage ends automatically.
But prosecutor Vickness Simwimba argued before court that the accused lacked responsibility as a mother, and that she acted contrary to section 260 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Code.
First Grade Magistrate Sophie Chimaliro said in her ruling that the offence is aggravated, prevalent and attracts life imprisonment.
The accused comes from Mwagwata Village, T/A Mtwalo in Mzimba while the victim hails from Namphungo Village, T/A Juma in Mulanje.
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