By Yanjanani Mendulo

Chiradzulu, October 2, Mana:  Police in Chiradzulu are keeping in custody a 32-year-old woman identified as Fainess Gobola for assaulting her five-year-old biological daughter accusing the little one of eating relish meant for supper.

Chiradzulu Police Spokesperson, Cosmas Kagulo, told Malawi News Agency (Mana) that the incident occurred on September 30, 2024, at Matandika Village, Traditional Authority Mpama in the district.

“When the suspect discovered that her daughter had eaten the relish, Gobola put her daughter in a sack and began to beat her. Fortunately, the village chief and other well-wishers heard the child’s cries for help,” he said.

According to Kagulo, the suspect is a single parent who relies on piecework for her living, adding that on the day of the incident, she left her daughter home with nothing to eat while she went out looking for work at Tomasi market.

“On her return, she discovered that the relish she had left for supper was missing and the victim admitted to having eaten it out of hunger. She therefore put her daughter in a bag and began beating her ruthlessly," said Kagulo.

He said police were investigating the incident and had arrested Gobola for assault.

Gobola comes from Aliyenda Village, Traditional Authority Chitera in the district.