Woman fined for saying her friend is on ART treatment

Malawi court has fined a woman for spreading rumours that her friend is on ART treatment.

Mangochi Second grade magistrate court ordered Temwako Mkumbira aged 36 to pay a fine of K65,000 .

Prosecutor Sub lnspector Regina Makwinja told the court that the accused was going around spreading rumours that Finess Phiri 32 is on ART treatment.

“This did not go well with the victim therefore she summoned the accused over the matter. On July 13, 2018 they both met at their friend’s house at Mapira village who mediated and reconciled them,” the prosecutor said.

Makwinja said the following day when the victim was on her way to her house she met Mkumbira who for no reason started insulting her.

“In the end the fight left the victim with an injury on the left leg. The matter was reported at Mangochi Police Station and the victim was issued with a medical report for treatment,” added the prosecutor.

Appearing in court the accused person pleaded guilty to the charge.

In her submission before sentence Makwinja pleaded with the court to impose a stiffer penalty since such behavior cannot be tolerated in the society.

When passing judgment his worship second grade magistrate Augustine Mizaya concurred with the state hence ordered her to pay a fine of K65,000 in default 15 months imprisonment with hard labour of which she paid and K45,000 will be given to the victim as compensation.

Temwako Mkumbira hails from Mwanyama village in the area of traditional authority Mponda in Mangochi.