Bamboo Dispute Turns Deadly: Woman Jailed 14 Years For Setting Brother’s House Ablaze, Injuring Him

A 44-year-old woman, Catherine Silvester, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison with hard labour after setting fire to her brother’s house during a dispute over bamboo in Malawi.

According to reports, the incident occurred in Dedza District after Silvester’s brother allegedly cut bamboo from her garden without permission.

State Prosecutor Sergeant Martha Chingwalungwalu told the Dedza First Grade Magistrate’s Court that the dispute escalated later that night when Silvester’s son confronted the victim.

Silvester subsequently went to her brother’s residence, where she reportedly shouted at him before setting the house ablaze with grass while he was asleep inside.

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

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

During mitigation, Silvester told Magistrate Anthony Banda that she was responsible for caring for her children and her disabled husband. She appealed for forgiveness and requested a lenient sentence.

The prosecution, however, urged the court to impose a severe punishment, arguing that the offence was particularly serious because the victim was Silvester’s brother and the attack was deliberately carried out while he was sleeping.

Magistrate Banda agreed that the incident could have been avoided and said a strong sentence was necessary to discourage similar acts.

The court subsequently sentenced Silvester, a resident of Kamgulitse Village under Traditional Authority Kamenyagwaza in Dedza District, to 14 years imprisonment with hard labour.