’11 Bongos’ gang leader arrested for murder of Master of rival ‘Soft Bombers’

Malawi Police have confirmed that they arrested arrested 22 year old Tiyese James who is suspected to have led a gang of notorious youths that murdered 18 year old Richard Master.

Master, who resided in Lilongwe’s Area 36, died on 31 March 2014 in an inter-gang wrangle between “Soft Bombers”, a gang to which he belonged and “11 Bongos” a gang which was allegedly led by James.

Public Relations Officer for Lilongwe Police, Kingsly Dandaula said “James had been on the run ever since the murder until recently when Area 36 Police unit got a tip that led to his arrest.”

11 Bongos is one of the teen notorious gangs, popularly known as “Crews and Ghettos” which comprise of youngsters from 10 to 19 years of age who engage in a variety of criminal acts including rape, life-threatening assaults with hardcore weaponry, excessive sachet spirits intake and smoking of marijuana.

Dandaula further explained that the murder suspect is also alleged to have had a hand in a series of robberies that have been taking place in Area 36 where he resided.

James who hails from Kawondo village, Traditional Authority Tsabango in Lilongwe district will soon appear in court to answer charges of murder and robbery according to Dandaula.