A Blantyre-based couple last Friday donated assorted items such as baby blankets, clothes, nappies, milk bottles, rice and clothes to a woman who gave birth to triplets on August 5 at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH). QECH discharged Esther Samuel last Thursday after medical personnel recommended that the three babies, a boy and two girls, who were in incubation, were fine. Frank and Chiku Gondwe, who run L’afirc Wear Tailoring Shop in Soche Township, said they decided to make the donation after they learnt that the family was in agony after they lost a nine-year-old daughter while Esther was still in hospital.—FRANK NAMANGALE
 Eight fined for selling charcoal
The Machinga First Grade Magistrate’s Court has fined eight people K60 000 (about $240) each or in default to serve six months imprisonment with hard labour after finding them guilty of selling charcoal. Machinga Police prosecutor, Constable Limbani Chiwaya identified the convicts as Gita Mahere, 27, Fabiano Banda, 24, Headson Mkwanda, 52, Anold Mkwaila, 29, Andrew Jalasi, 18, Manes John, 35, Patrick Banda, 30 and Yassin Chinthenga, 50. Chiwaya told the court that the eight were found by the parks and forest officials selling the charcoal along Liwonde-Zomba Road.
—Luntha Chalira, Correspondent
