The Mkukula first grade magistrate court in Lumbadzi has convicted and sentenced a 33 year-old man, Lofiamu Nyemba to 2 years imprisonment with hard labour for breaking his mother in-law’s hand.
The court heard through Prosecutor Sergeant Makina that on July 02, 2021, Lofiamu who was on speration with his wife Doreen Kalifare visited her home in Kalifare village, traditional authority Mkukula in Dowa district.
Whilst there, he became violent as he was not welcomed cordially. He grabbed and pulled his wife, accusing her for blacklisting his phone number.
Looking at the situation, mother of Doreen (his mother in-law) intervened in order to rescue the baby who was on the back of her daughter.
The accused then grabbed his mother in-law’s hand and broke it in the process accusing her for interfering her daughter’s family issues.
The mother in-law was taken to Chinkhuti Health Center in Lumbadzi where she was referred to Kamuzu Central Hospital for X-ray and treatment. Medical reports indicated that her two lower bones of the hand were broken making the arm to become functionless.
Following this, Lofiamu has been on the run up until on August 15, 2022 when he was arrested by officers from Matowe Police unit who referred him to Lumbadzi Police Station where he was charged with the offence of grevious harm which contravenes section 235 of the Penal Code.
Appearing in court, the accused pleaded guilty to the charge levelled against him.
In mitigation, the convict asked for court’s leniency saying that he is a breadwinner in his family and he cares his elderly parents.
In his submissions, prosecutor George Makina asked for a stiff deterrent sentence describing the offence as serious in nature and that the convict was supposed to respect his in-law than assaulting her.
In his determination, Magistrate Thomson Midiasi quashed the mitigating factors and concurred with the Makina’s. He therefore sentenced the convict to 2 years imprisonment with hard labour.
Lofiamu Nyemba hails from Dothi village, traditional authority Chitukula in Lilongwe.
Sergeant Felix Kwinyani Lumbadzi Police Station Public Relations Officer
Cell; 0995 334 000
Website:www.police.gov.mw