BABY BURNT ON PRIVATE PARTS, DIES

SIMON MUNTEMBA writes  A TWENTY-TWO-YEAR-OLD man of Nkestro Farm area in Sinda District has been arrested for killing his one-year-old step daughter after burning her private parts with a log of firewood. Eastern Province Police commissioner, Lackson Sakala who confirmed the incident identified the suspect as Cosmas Sakala.  Mr Sakala said the matter was reported to Sinda police station on Thursday by Tikambe Tembo, the mother of the victim. “Police in Sinda have arrested a 22-year-old man of Nkestro Farm for burning his one-year-old daughter who has died,” Mr Sakala said. Mr Sakala said the mother to the victim told the police that her daughter identified as Catherine Phiri, aged one year 7 months, was burnt on her private parts by her step father using a log of burning firewood. He said the victim was rushed to Sinda Clinic for treatment and later referred to Nyanje Mission Hospital where she died. “It is alleged that the mother of the victim left the baby sitting, warming herself by the fire where she was cooking when the father came and started burning her private parts and on the left leg. “When asked why he burnt the step daughter, Sakala told the wife that he wanted a child of his own,” he said. The Police commissioner said the suspect has been charged with murder and he would appear in court soon. The Sun