A 44-year-old woman, Catherine Silvester, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison with hard labour by the Dedza First Grade Magistrate’s Court in Malawi for setting fire to her brother’s house following a disagreement over bamboo.
The incident occurred after Silvester’s brother allegedly cut bamboo from her garden without her permission, sparking a dispute between the siblings.
According to State Prosecutor Sergeant Martha Chingwalungwalu, tensions escalated later that night when Silvester’s son confronted the victim over the matter.
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 suffered burn injuries in the incident and later reported the matter to the Dedza Police, resulting in Silvester’s arrest.
Dedza Police publicist Beatrice Jefita said Silvester pleaded guilty to a charge of acts intended to cause grievous harm when she appeared before Magistrate Anthony Banda.
During mitigation, Silvester asked the court for forgiveness and a lenient sentence. She explained that she was responsible for caring for her children as well as her disabled husband.
The prosecution, however, urged the court to treat the offence seriously, stressing that the victim was Silvester’s brother and that the attack was deliberate and carried out while he was sleeping.
Magistrate Banda agreed that the incident could have been avoided and said a firm punishment was necessary to discourage similar acts.
He subsequently sentenced Silvester, who is from Kamgulitse Village under Traditional Authority Kamenyagwaza in Dedza District, to 14 years’ imprisonment with hard labour.
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