STEPFATHER IN CUSTODY OVER DEATH OF ONE-YEAR-OLD BABY IN SINDA

Just a week after the Chipata High Court sentenced a man to life imprisonment for murdering his stepdaughter, another tragic case of suspected child abuse has emerged in Sinda District, Eastern Province, where a one-year-old boy has died under disturbing circumstances. Authorities suspect the child was a victim of physical abuse at the hands of his stepfather.

The deceased, Boniface Banda, passed away on Sunday, February 2, 2025, following what is believed to have been a brutal assault. According to Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba, the child’s stepfather, Rodgers Phiri, 25, allegedly beat the young boy with a stick on January 22, 2025, while they were in a field at Kondwelani Village. The attack reportedly took place after the child, who was already unwell, would not stop crying, prompting Phiri to respond with violence instead of care.

The heartbreaking case came to light when the child’s mother, Mwezi Banda, 21, reported the incident to the police. She recounted how her son’s condition deteriorated in the days following the assault, eventually leading to his untimely death. Despite an initial examination by the police showing no visible external injuries, the severity of the attack may have caused internal damage, which is now being investigated further.

Following Boniface Banda’s death, his body was transported to St. Francis Hospital Mortuary, where a postmortem examination is set to be conducted to determine the exact cause of death. Authorities believe the autopsy results will provide crucial evidence in the case against Rodgers Phiri.

Meanwhile, police have taken Phiri into custody as investigations into the incident continue. The case has sparked outrage within the local community, with residents calling for justice for the young victim. Child rights advocates have also weighed in, stressing the urgent need for stronger measures to combat child abuse and domestic violence, which continue to claim innocent lives.

This tragic incident has once again highlighted the dangers of child abuse and the devastating impact of violence within families. As the investigation unfolds, authorities are expected to take decisive action to ensure that those responsible for such heinous acts are held accountable.
By Samuel Khwawe