The First Grade Magistrate’s court in Balaka has ordered a 23 year old woman to pay a fine of K300 thousand for scalding her female neighbor with hot porridge on suspicion that she is in love affair with her husband.

State prosecutor, Sub Inspector Lyson Kachikondo, told the court that Sarah Fransisco scalded the victim when attempts to discuss failed, and the victim sustained severe burns on her body and was treated as an outpatient at Balaka District Hospital.

First grade magistrate Maxwell Boaz found Francisco guilty and said a K100 thousand of the fine is meant for the victim’s compensation or in default serve a 15 month jail term.