Two Children Torch Home, Kill 7 Months Old Girl

A seven months old baby girl died in fire that gutted down home in Kasungu district.

The raging inferno is reportedly to have been ignited by her two little siblings playing with the fire when their mom was away, says Police.

Sub Inspector Edna Mzingwitsa, Deputy Police Public Relations Officer in Kasungu identified the deceased as Esnart Samson.

Mzingwitsa says while the 7 month old girl was sleeping inside the house her mother left home to draw water but had asked two children aged 4 and 2 who were at that time playing outside the house to keep eye of their sister.  

Sub Inspector Mzingwitsa said the two children began to play with fire which accidentally caught up the grass thatched house.

Mzingwitsa said though neighbors rushed to put-off the fire, found the baby already burned to death

The police officer indicated that the incident that occurred on late hours of Wednesday happened at Jere village, of T/A Wimbe in Kasungu district.

Police have since appealed to the general public that parents should not leave little children alone but with a grown up guardian to avoid such incidents.

Desperate of Baby: Woman Steal a Month-Old Baby in Kasungu

A 25 year old woman pretended a good friend then vanished for a day with a month old baby girl now arrested by Kasungu police.

The woman identified by Police in Kasungu as Loveness Ngulube aged 25 has been arrested for stealing a month-old baby girl belonging to a woman identified as Ndaziona Phiri. 

“On Wednesday 5th August 2015 at around 12:00 hours Loveness met Ndaziona Phiri who was at that time coming from Kasungu District hospital and was on her way home

“Then Loveness approached Ndaziona to ask offer help carry the baby.” Explained Sub Inspector Edna Mzingwitsa, Kasungu Deputy Police Public Relations Officer

Unsuspectingly Mzingwitsa said Ndaziona handed the baby to ‘the loving stranger’ Loveness but as they walked towards Kasungu main market Loveness disappeared with the baby.

Sub Inspector Mzingwitsa then said the mother of the baby rushed to Kasungu Police to report the incident.

“Police officers instituted investigation which led to the arrest of Loveness at Katchembere village within the district.” Said Sub Inspector Mzingwitsa

“At the police station, Loveness said she desperately needs a baby. She explained that since 2013 she got married, her family has never had a gift of a baby.” Said Mzingwitsa who indicated that Loveness will appear in court soon to answer the charge of Child stealing contrary to section 167 of the penal code which attracts maximum sentence of 7 years imprisonment with hard labour

The suspect Loveness Ngulube comes from Edingeni village of TA Mberwa in Mzimba district

Child Protection Officer In For Theft, Impersonation

Child Protection Officer at Social Welfare Office in Kasungu is in police custody on charges of Personating a Police Officer, Abuse of Office and Theft.

According to Sub Inspector Edna Nzingwitsa,  deputy police public relations officer for Kasungu, the suspect is identified as Tenala Yabwalo aged 27 who had on Tuesday, unscrupulously solicited K90 thousand after impersonating a police officer.  

"On 28 July this year, Tenala Yabwalo hired a motor vehicle registration number MZ 7149 Toyota Corsa. He went to the house of Frazer Majamanda of Majamanda village, T/A Wimbe dressed in civilian clothes with on top, putting on a reflector which had a police logo.

"While there, he told Majamanda that he is under arrest for employing young children to look after his cattle. He then took Majamanda to his father where he demanded K100 thousand to let his son free else will be charged K400 thousand at the court" explained Sub Inspector Mzingwitsa 

Mzingwitsa said,  Mr. Majamanda managed to pay K90 thousand only.

Mzingwitsa said some villagers grew suspicious of Yabwalo acts and they mobilized themselves. She said they then smashed the vehicle and others assaulted the impersonator and his driver. 

Mzingwitsa said, some villagers reported the issue to Kasungu police. 

However, she said it was revealed that Mr. Tenala Yabwalo is also answering the charge of Official Corruption which he committed during the month of January 2015 at Chikanda village where he also pocketed some money from villagers after accusing them of employing young children.

Tenala Yabwalo comes from Besiti village T/A Kaomba in Kasungu district. 

Meanwhile Mzingwitsa has informed the general public that Police is appealing that people should to report to police of any suspicious person in their area who come and collect money from them in the name of executing their duties.

Reckless Driver Fined K450 thousand

Kasungu First Grade Magistrate Court has sentenced a 30 year old man to pay a fine of K450,000 (four hundred and fifty thousand kwacha) in default 18 months imprisonment for reckless driving causing the death of a 31 year old passenger.

Mr. Goodwin M’gawa aged 30 from Enukweni village T/A Mtwalo in Mzimba district was answering charges of reckless driving following the accident which occurred on early this month when his vehicle overturned killing one of his passengers as he was trying to overtake another vehicle.

According to Kasungu Deputy Public Relations Officer Sub Inspector Edna Nzingwitsa the deceased was identified as Shadreck Zimba aged 31 from Mtondo village T/A Kaomba in Kasungu district.

Goodwin appeared before Kasungu First Grade Magistrate Court on the Thursday where he pleaded guilty to the charge of causing death by reckless driving.

When passing the sentence, First Grade Magistrate Damiano Banda said such accidents have increased in Kasungu district and his judgement serves as a lesson to other drivers.

When the driver pays the fine a sum of K400,000 will be given to the family of the deceased as compensation.

Reckless or negligent driving is contrary to section 126 of Road Traffic Act.