3 cops arrested over soldier’s shooting: Malawi govt ‘deplores’ killing

Three Malawi Police Service officers are currently in custody for allegedly shooting to death one of Malawi Defence Force (MDF) soldier, Lance Corporal Prince Lameck by patrol officer on Saturday night.

The identities of the police officers arrested have been shielded.

Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Paul Chibingu told reporters on Thursday that the three officers would remain in custody while joint investigations by MDF and Malawi police are underway.

Chibingu was addressing the media on the incident and was franked by deputy Minister of Defence, Jappie Mhango, Police Inspector General (IG), Paul Kanyama and MDF deputy Commander General, Griffin Supuni Phiri.

The Minister deplored the fatal shooting of the soldier in Zomba, describing the incident as regrettable.

“It it is very regrettable and unfortunate that a precious life was lost in the course of providing security,” Chibingu said.

Chibingu said joint investigations by the MDF and MPS are in progress.

“We also wish to inform the nation that the three (3) MPS Officers involved are currently in custody awaiting findings of the joint investigations,” he said.

Chibingu and Mhango have since appealed to Police to be professional when carrying out its duties, and urged junior members from both MDF and MPS to remain disciplined and always emulate the good example set by their superiors.

“We further wish to advise the two (2) security organizations not to take the law into their own hands but to be professional and follow standard operating procedures.

“They should also avoid engaging themselves in wrangles as they could not take the nation forward but result into breakdown of security which can be detrimental to the development of our beloved country.”

Deputy Minister of Defence Jappie Mhango agreed with Chibingu that the incident was unfortunate and asked police officers and MDF soldiers to coexist peacefully.

There was tension in Zomba city on Saturday (last weekend) as tempers boiled up at Cobbe Barracks following the killing of Lameck.

MDF spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Francis Kakhuta-Banda said Lameck, from Phwandaphwanda   Village,   in   Traditional Authority Nkalo in Chiradzulu, was buried with full military honours. He was born on May 17 1987 and joined MDF on January 3 2008.