A 29-year-old woman of Lusaka’s Kanyama compound has appeared in the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court for setting ablaze her 12-year-old daughter over a K7.

Prudence Phiri allegedly poured a five litre container of kerosene on her daughter and set her ablaze for allegedly stealing a K7.

When the matter came up yesterday, chief resident magistrate Kenneth Mulife explained the murder charge to Phiri and told her that would be appearing before him for mention until her case was committed to the High Court for trial.

Magistrate Mulufe directed the public prosecutor to ensure that the issuance of a certificate of committal was not delayed looking at Phiri’s status as she was breastfeeding her baby in the dock.

Details before the court are that Phiri burnt her daughter as an act of discipline after she allegedly stole money from her.

After she failed to put out the fire, she called for help from her neighbours who rescued the girl and rushed her to the hospital.

The victim died at the University Teaching Hospital on September 5, 2017.