Man behind bars for burning one year-old baby in Blantyre.

By Michael Martin//MALAWI

Police in Ndirande, Blantyre have arrested Geoffrey Mwambazi aged 20 on suspicion that he burned a one-year-old baby with hot cooking oil.

According to Ndirande Police public relations officer Chibisa Mulimbika, the incident occurred at Matope Market in Ndirande.

” Mwambazi had reportedly gone to the market to buy roasted meat (kanyenya) from a woman who was selling it.

“After eating kanyenya worth K600, Mwambazi allegedly refused to pay and instead demanded change, claiming that he had already given the woman K2,000.

“A disagreement ensued between the two, and the woman tried to stop Mwambazi from leaving the market without paying,” said Mulimbika.

He said that during the altercation, Mwambazi is said to have insulted and slapped the woman.

“While they were struggling, he stepped on a container of hot cooking oil that the woman was using to prepare the kanyenya.

“The oil spilled and splashed onto the woman’s one-year-old baby, who was nearby.

“Mwambazi then fled the scene immediately after the incident,” he added.

The mother rushed her injured child to a nearby health facility, where medical personnel referred them to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre for further treatment.

Police say Mwambazi has since been taken into custody and will appear in court soon to answer charges related to assault and child endangerment.