Blantyre Magistrate’s court has sent Peter Mwekere to spend seven years in prison for injuring Anthony Katete over a fried chips altercation.

The incident took place at Ndirande Tarven in Ndirande Township in the city.

The state through Sergeant Mark Kavalo of Ndirande Police Station heard that on September 20, 2020 at about 8 o’clock, Katete, 24, invited a customer to buy his fried chips.

This did not go well with Mwekere, 27, who was just passing by and he started insulting Katete and stood in front of his business.

Mwekere left and later came back with his friends and began to beat up Katete, the gang then got hot oil from another chips seller and poured it on Katete.

The matter was reported to Police and Mwekere was arrested. He was charged with acts intended to cause grevious harm. When he appeared in court, he pleaded guilty to the charge.

In his submission, Sergeant Kavalo told the court the offence committed is a serious one further saying that the victim is still in pains because he has blisters all over his body hence the need for a deterrent sentence.

In mitigation, Mwekere pleaded for leniency saying he was the first offender.

Senior Resident Magistrate Akia Mwangongo concurred with the state prosecutor, quashed the convict’s mitigation factor and gave the seven years imprisonment with hard labour.

Peter Mwekere hails from Ganya village in the area of Traditional Authority Kwataine in Ntcheu.