Thyolo First Grade Magistrate court has convicted and ordered Pilirani Damiano aged 35 to pay a fine of K400 000 in default to spend the next 24 months in prison with hard labour for Acts intended to cause grievous harm contrary to section 235 of the penal code.

The court heard through Sub Inspector Felix Senzani that Damiano caught the two young sisters aged 14 and 12 stealing fresh maize in her maize garden in the month of March 2023.

The suspect forcefully placed the girls’ hands on the fire sticks as part of punishment for the deed. The mother to the victim’s tried to rescue them but her efforts proved futile.

Realizing the extent of the harm caused to her children, the victim’s mother reported the incident to Fattima Police Unit which led to the arrest of the suspect.

Appearing in court, Damiano pleaded guilty to the charge leveled against her.

In mitigation, She asked court for leniency saying she is a first time offender and has family responsibilities.

But the state through prosecutor Senzani told the court that though she was a first time offender, her actions were so cruelty. As a woman, she was supposed to show care despite that the children were not hers.

Passing sentence, Magistrate Kondani Chinangwa concurred with the the state and ordered her to pay a fine of K400 000 and in serve a 24 months jail term with hard labour.

Damiano hails from Alufazema Village in Traditional Authority Mlolo, Nsanja District.

In a related development, the same court has also convicted and ordered a 57 year old man to pay a fine of K60 000 and in default be behind bars for 8 months with hard labor for Acts intended to cause grievous harm.

The court heard through State prosecutor Sub Inspector Felix Senzani that the convict on March 24, 2023 assaulted Agnes Gilbert 38, using a wood.