No bail for man accused of torching wife

The Kasungu First Grade Magistrate's Court in central Malawi refused to grant bail to Divason Chonga (35), who is alleged to have set alight his wife.

Police arrested Chonga on August 21 2011 and charged him with an act intended to cause grievous harm after he allegedly beat up his wife, Estere Banda (28), and set her on fire after she refused to follow him to his home village.

Kasungu Police spokesperson Edwin Kaunda said the suspect pleaded not guilty to the charge when he appeared before first grade magistrate Heinz Kantchere.

“He told the court that his wife wanted to kill herself by jumping into the fire and that he only came in to rescue her from the burning flames,” said Kaunda.

Wife torched: Photo -ZBS

He said Chonga instead pleaded with the court to consider granting him bail to which the State, through Assistant Superintendent Christopher Katani, objected.

Kaunda said Kantchere ordered that the suspect be remanded to Kasungu Prison.

However, speaking in an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) from her hospital bed, Banda claimed it was not the first time the husband severely beat her over 'petty' family matters.

Meanwhile, Banda was last Wednesday referred to Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe for further treatment.

Nyasa Times 08 Sep, 2011

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Source: http://www.nyasatimes.com/national/no-bail-for-man-accused-of-torching-wife/
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