Police in Nsanje have arrested a woman, for committing a crime of “Acts intended to cause grievous harm” as per Section 235 of the Penal Code. Damiano is accused of assaulting two girls, aged 14 and 12, in March 2023 at Matias village.

Nsanje police station Public relation officer Sub inspector Agnes Zalakoma has identified the suspect as Pilirani Damiano, who is suspected that she forcefully placed the girls’ hands onto a fire, suspecting them of stealing fresh maize from her garden. As a result, the girls suffered severe burns.

Realizing the extent of the harm caused to her children, the victims’ mother reported the incident to the Fatima Police Unit a few days later.

Police conducted a follow-up investigation to apprehend the suspect, but she was nowhere to be found. Further inquiries revealed that Damiano had sought refuge in Mozambique, taking advantage of her proximity to the neighboring country.

Following the tip-off from well-wishers, police detectives managed to arrest the suspect in the early hours of April 8, 2023.

The suspect is scheduled to appear in court soon to face charges of acts intended to cause grievous harm

Pilirani Damiano is 35 years old hails from Alufazema village in Traditional Authority Mlolo, Nsanje district.