Spate of killings hit Dzaleka refugee camp: Hutu and Tutsi rivalry worsens

Malawi Police in Dowa district, which is a host to the largest refugee camp in the country, have started making arrests in connection to a spate of serial attacks and murders that have hit Dzaleka Refugee Camp, Nyasa Times can reveal.

The arrests comes against the.background that refugees and asylum seekers are living in fear following an upsurge in gruesome murders and serial attacks at the camp which are being attributed to the age old rivalrly between Tutsi and Hutus ethnic groups.

At least two people-a woman and a boy were confirmed to have been killed within a space of two months, according to sources at the camp and police.

Another gruesome attack took place last Sunday involving a 47 year old Rwandan national Bavumiragira Deogratias.

Deogratias survived death after attackers broke into his hut where they strangled him.and tied him to his bed.

He is currently recuperating at Fransisco Palau Community Hospital which is popularly known as Mtengowamthenga Mission Hospital.

A younger brother and guardian to Deogratias, Ndayambashi Muhammad, said in an interview accused the police of dragging their feet on the suspected criminals let alone investigating the crimes despite receiving reports and complaints from victims and their relatives.

“No one should cheat you that the attackers are coming from outside (camp). They are our fellow refugees and asylum seekers who are doing this. But what baffles us is why the police are taking ages to conclude their investigations,” Muhammad wondered.

“Do they want to see all of us being killed to start making arrests? Or are they waiting until.we take the law into our hands for them to enforce the law,” he said.

However, Dowa Police spokesperson Kondwani Kandiado said that the police have all along been investigating the attacks at the camp.

“The case file was opened on the two murders and so far one suspect has been arrested in connection to these killings. He is now remanded at Maula prison. On the recent attacks two people- Mizigiyimani, 18 and Bigirimani-37 , both Burundians have been arrested.

“They refused to provide their surnames. The third suspect is at large,” he explained.

Kandiado also disclosed that the.police have since intensified security at the camp by among things running day and night patrols.

Dzaleka Refugee Camp has six locations (areas) namely Blantyre,Kawale, Katupya, Likuni, Lisungwi and Zomba.

The refugees and asylum.seekers say it is Blantyre, which is mainly occupied by.Rwandese and Burundians, that is notorius with criminal activities.