Boy's Hands Burnt, Needs Medical Aid

Police have since arrested Edina Mailosi of Mwanabowa village and Jeremiah Khembo, 30, of Brighton village on charges of acts intended to cause grievous harm.

NSANJE, Malawi— A 14-year-old orphaned boy in Nsanje district desperately needs medical treatment after his hands were severely burned this month by two people accusing him of stealing bottles, writes Cornlius Lupenga.

Baba Peterson of Jambo village in the area of Traditional Authority Mbenje has received no care for the injuries inflicted March 10, according to Child Protection Officer MacPhillip Walter.

Police have since arrested Edina Mailosi of Mwanabowa village and Jeremiah Khembo, 30, of Brighton village on charges of acts intended to cause grievous harm.

Peterson said he was collecting and reselling empty bottles to buy food when Mailosi and Khembo accused him of theft.

Khembo tied the boy's hands with a rubber band and struck them with a hammer, then Mailosi burned his bound hands with a lit plastic paper, Peterson said.

"I was tied both hands with rubber by Khembo. Mailosi took a plastic paper which she lit it and directing its flames to my tied both hands," he told AfricaBrief.

A son of Mailosi's freed Peterson, who went to Chiromo Police Post.

Lyton Nguwela, 52, a neighbour who knew Peterson from playing with his son, said the boy now cannot feed, bathe or care for himself due to the extensive injuries which could leave him paralyzed without treatment.