Ministry to appeal Nsanje girls’ abuse case

Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare says it will appeal Thyolo Magistrate’s Court decision to  fine a woman for torture of two minors allegedly found stealing three maize cobs from her garden.

Addressing the press in Lilongwe, Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare Jean Sendeza said the ministry will appeal the case because it is not satisfied with the sentence.

Police in Nsanje arrested Pilirani Damiano, 35, after photographs showing the girls beaten up by the mob and their burnt hands went viral on social media.

Damiano was reported to have forcibly placed the girls’ hands on fire as punishment for their offence while efforts by the victims’ mother to rescue the girls proved futile.

The girls, aged between 12 and 14, had their hand and faces severely injured and are receiving medical treatment at a health facility in the district.

The incident was reported to Fatima Police Station in Nsanje, but the case was heard in the Thyolo Magistrate’s Court due to the poor road network in Nsanje following the impact of Cyclone Freddy.

In an interview, Thyolo Police Station deputy spokesperson Rabecca Kashoti said the convict was released after paying K300 000 cash and appealed  to be given time to look for the balance.

However, some quarters argued that the convict was given a minimal sentence compared to the gravity of the offence committed.

During the press briefing, the minister said she was shocked with the minimal sentence handed to the woman who abused the children instead of protecting them.

Said Sendeza: “This was extreme violence and abuse directed at children by members of the community that is expected to protect them.

“We are, therefore, going to appeal the case because we are not satisfied with the judgement.”

She said child abuse constitutes violation of the most basic rights of children which are enshrined in the Uited Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child, and the Malawi Constitution.

The minister said it was a double tragedy  for the children to be subjected to acts of violence by irate mobs as they are recovering from the tragic impact of Cyclone Freddy.

“It is, therefore, baffling that a community in one of the cyclone affected districts, Nsanje, can be so violent to its own children at this difficult time.

“This is cruelty against children and humanity in general and must be condemned by all well meaning Malawians,” she added.

Sendeza advised communities to follow the Child Care, Protection and Justice Act of 2010 which provides legal means of dealing with and handling children when found to be in conflict with law.

Reacting to the development, Girls Empowerment Network projects officer Faith Malenga said the ministry’s step to appeal the sentence would ensure  the victims get justice on the matter.

“We stand with the minister that proper action must be taken despite the act was wrong. The law is against mob justice. If you find someone stealing, you have to report them to the police. I agree with the minister that the K400 000 is very minimal,” Malenga said.

Damiano comes from Alufazema Village, Traditional Authority Mlolo, in Nsanje.

The woman was fined K400 000 or in default serve 24 months imprisonment.