By Burnett Munthali
The Nkhata Bay Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court has sentenced John Munthali, a 20-year-old man, to six years of imprisonment for setting fire to his uncle’s house and damaging property in Usisya, Nkhata Bay District.
State prosecutor Andrew Singini told the court that Munthali committed the crime in July 2024, following prolonged family disputes. The suspect accused his uncle of frequently troubling his mother when intoxicated, which led to rising tensions between them. Munthali reportedly threatened to harm his uncle before carrying out the arson attack.
On the night of the incident, Munthali set his uncle’s house on fire while the uncle was asleep after a drinking session. Fortunately, the uncle was unharmed, but the fire destroyed all the household belongings inside the house.
Despite initially denying the charges, Munthali was convicted after the state presented three witnesses whose testimony proved his guilt. Prosecutor Singini pushed for a harsh sentence, stressing the gravity of the act and the potential danger it posed.
In his defense, Munthali pleaded for leniency, citing his role as the primary caregiver for his ailing mother. However, Senior Resident Magistrate Godfrey Nyirenda sided with the prosecution, arguing that the seriousness of the crime warranted a deterrent sentence. As a result, Munthali was sentenced to six years in prison, effective from the day of his arrest.
John Munthali hails from Vumu Village in Traditional Authority M’bwana in Nkhata Bay District.
