A man in Zomba, has been sentenced to four years in prison for burning his six-year-old niece’s hand. Ronnex Bandawe, who is 22 years old, committed the offence on March 6 after the child had stolen a maize cob from a nearby field.

Senior Resident Magistrate Christopher Makumba, who presided over the case, described Bandawe’s actions as brutal and cautioned parents to be careful when disciplining their children.

The case was heard through a mobile court with support from the Development Communication Trust (DCT).

According to DCT Programmes Manager Bettie Chumbu, mobile courts have the potential to help prevent child rights violations