The Thyolo First Grade Magistrate on Friday sentenced Samson Phiri to six years imprisonment with hard labour for offering to sell his 14-year-old brother.

Phiri, 21, had offered his brother for K1 million to a local businessman in Luchenza Municipality.

Phiri, who was arrested on February 2, 2016 was answering a case of offering for sale a child contrary to section 82 of the Child Care Protection and Justice Act.

During hearing, prosecutor Inspector Dalireni Kalanguluka told the court that Phiri went to the business man, (name undisclosed for security reason) who then tipped the police about the bizarre business proposal.

It also transpired that the would-be victim had no knowledge that he was about to be sold.

When asked the reason for intending to sell his brother, Phiri said he wanted the money to save the family from hunger.

Passing judgment, Senior Resident Magistrate, Benedictus Chitsakamire said: “It is inhumane to sell a fellow human being, worse still one’s own brother, instead of protecting him.”

“The court therefore has given the accused such a punishment as a warning to other would-be offenders.”

The brother Phiri wanted to sell is currently at home with guardians.

Phiri comes from Ndombole village, Traditional Authority Kapichi in Thyolo District.