A 44-year-old woman, Catherine Silvester, has been sentenced to 14 years imprisonment with hard labour by the Dedza First Grade Magistrate’s Court in Malawi for setting fire to her brother’s house following a dispute over bamboo.
According to State Prosecutor Sergeant Martha Chingwalungwalu, the disagreement began after Silvester’s brother allegedly cut bamboo from her garden without her permission.
The situation escalated later that night when Silvester’s son confronted the victim over the incident. Silvester subsequently went to her brother’s residence, where she reportedly shouted at him before setting the house on fire with grass while he was asleep inside.
The victim sustained burn injuries in the incident and later reported the matter to the Dedza Police, leading to Silvester’s arrest.
Police publicist Beatrice Jefita said Silvester pleaded guilty to the charge of acts intended to cause grievous harm when she appeared before the court.
During mitigation, Silvester pleaded for forgiveness and a lighter sentence, explaining that she is responsible for caring for her children and her disabled husband.
However, the prosecution urged the court to impose a severe punishment, stressing that the offence was particularly serious because the victim and accused were blood relatives and the attack was allegedly carried out deliberately while the victim was asleep.
In his ruling, Magistrate Anthony Banda described the incident as avoidable and said a strong sentence was necessary to deter others from committing similar offences.
Silvester, who hails from Kamgulitse Village under Traditional Authority Kamenyagwaza in Dedza District, was consequently sentenced to 14 years in prison with hard labour.
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