The Dedza First Grade Magistrate’s Court in Malawi has sentenced a 44-year-old woman Catherine Silvester to 14 years imprisonment with hard labour for setting fire to her brother’s house following a dispute over bamboo.

According to State Prosecutor Sergeant Martha Chingwalungwalu, the dispute started when the victim cut bamboo from Silvester’s garden without permission.

Later that night, after her son had confronted the victim, Silvester went to her brother’s home, shouted at him and then set fire to the house using grass while he was asleep inside.

The victim sustained burn injuries and reported the matter to Dedza Police, leading to Silvester’s arrest.

Dedza Police publicist Beatrice Jefita says Silvester pleaded guilty to the charge of acts intended to cause grievous harm when she appeared in court.

In mitigation, Silvester told Magistrate Anthony Banda that she is responsible for her children and her disabled husband, and asked for forgiveness and a lenient sentence.

The State, however, argued that the offence was serious because it involved blood relatives and was committed intentionally while the victim was sleeping.

Magistrate Banda agreed that the act was avoidable and said a strong sentence was needed to deter similar offences.

He therefore sentenced Silvester, of Kamgulitse Village, Traditional Authority Kamenyagwaza in Dedza District, to 14 years imprisonment with hard labour.