The Mkukula First Grade Magistrate court in Lumbadzi, Dowa, has on Friday, August 25,2023 convicted and sentenced a 34-year-old man, Benard Zinaumaleka, to one and half year imprisonment with hard labour for the offence of arson.

According to Lumbazi Police station Spokes person Sergeant Felix Kuwani the court heard through State Prosecutor Superintendent Aufi Ali, that on August 13, 2023 Zinaumaleka set ablaze the house of his ex-wife (Falesi Chapitapansi) of Waya village for unknown reasons.

Appearing before the court, the convict pleaded guilty for the charge leveled against him.

Kwiyani say in mitigation, Zinaumaleka pleaded for forgiveness saying that he is ready to pay back for the damaged properties.

He further said that he is the first offender, suffers from high blood pressure, and is a breadwinner for his family.

In submission, Ali prayed for a stiffer penalty to deter the other would be offenders, saying that the offence he commited is serious in nature.

He added that the accused planned well to execute the mission by leaving his village at night going to his ex- wife’s village, and burn the house that accommodates children.

In his sentence, First Grade Magistrate Thomson Midiasi, slapped the convict with a one and half year imprisonment with hard labour.

Zinaumaleka hails from Chigonthi village, Traditional Authority Chitukula in Lilongwe District.