Police in Dowa on Thursday arrested a woman aged 28 on suspicion she burnt her seven-year-old son for stealing chicken.

Dowa police spokesperson, Gladson M’bumpha confirmed of the arrest in an interview with the press.

According to M’bumpha, the boy and his friends slaughtered, roasted and ate the chicken which annoyed the owner who went to the boy’s mother to complain of what had happened.

On learning of the incident, the suspect, Rute Sikelo, then allegedly put a knife on fire and burnt the child on the cheeks, nose and hands.

The suspect comes from Ngalazuka Village in the area of T/A Mkukula in Dowa district.