Malawian victim of football violence dies: Fan was assaulted by suspected soldiers of Red Lions FC

June 5, 2015 Jeromy Kadewere -Nyasa Times 109 Comments

The family of a football fan, who was assaulted by suspected Malawi Defence Force (MDF) soldiers  of Red Lions football club during their 2-2 match against Surestream, say he has died.

A nurse Doreen Mvula assisting Godffrey when he was unconscious
A nurse Doreen Mvula assisting Godffrey when he was unconscious

The 24-year old son Stanley Mwale, died on Friday morning  in Blantyre, his family confirmed to Nyasa Times.

Mwale, who has been lying unconscious at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre since May 10, succumbed to serious head injuries he sustained during the incident that occurred after a league match between Red Lions and Surestream at Kamuzu Stadium.

“We are greatly devasted. No one can give us back Godfrey but we ask for justice in his name and not revenge,” said the grieving father, a police officer Senior Superintendent Stanley Mwale.

He has asked those who were involved in beating his son to be punished.

Godfrey was beaten up by three suspected soldiers as he was waiting for a mini bus to pick him up at the bus stage.

“I loved my son so much, he had a bright future,” he said, tears rolling on his cheek.

Mwale was reported to be beaten up with iron bars and a brain MRI scan shows that among several injuries, he has acute hematoma caused by trauma to the head and also brain swelling.

Super League of Malawi (Sulom) slapped Red Lions with a total of K3.6 million in fines for the club, eight players involved in assaulting referee Boniface Chipinga and their team doctor Gibson Langwe who was also involved in the fracas.

The eight players Lot Chawinga, Dickson Mbetewa Jr who were in the forefront have been suspended for 12 months not to play any game organised by Sulom.

Six other players  Boniface Kaulesi, William Chiumia, Mathews Simbeye, George Haule, Thomas Makaombwa and Sunganani Msiska have been banned from playing for six months.

But Mwale said the punishment is manifestly inadequate.

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :
Follow us in Twitter

109 replies on “Malawian victim of football violence dies: Fan was assaulted by suspected soldiers of Red Lions FC”

  1. my blame is always goes to referee because this man is the source of this death and again you the soldiers why not beating referee instead beating the innocent man shame on soldiers

  4. Mmalo Mwa All who did their sec ed at thyolo sec sch we r grieved by the classmate and friend Geof’s death.may his soul rest in eternal peace

  8. Comment no 98, may God forgive you mwina sunafeledwepo, why should the referee be blamed and not the soldiers, a life has been lost here and you are backing the killers? why didn’t your coward soldiers kill the referee rather than this innocent young man? Moto umapita kumene kwatsala tchire

  9. soka kwa iye obweresa choipacho, koma asirikaliwa zamanyazi, kusowa chochita chani, chimene amachita muziko muno sichioneka, chonde malipiro awonjezereni apolisi, osati zinthuzi kumangokhalira kutukwana zikamathamanga mu town

  10. This is total inhuman but bare in mind that God loves us all and the same God shall punish who so ever was involved,being a soldier doesn’t warrant you to claim innocent lives…

  11. So sad eish….I dnt ril know wat happened but y wud they go an start beating munthu oti wangoima pa stage waiting for a taxi?…how was tht possible? …anyways these guys shud b punished. …may his soul rest n peace. …

  12. We had BP TOP EIGHT. It ended cause of hooliganism, were the soldiers involved? Hate the officiating officials not the soldiers.

  13. So sad that’s not the way that the soldiers are supporsed to beheave they have shown us us that we can not trust them

  16. My advice to fellow soccer funs, “Never ever join a fight that does not concern you. Never start a fight you cannot sustain”. MHSRP.

  17. These bastards should now be charged with first degree murder. You cannot take life of an innocent boy and expect to walk with 12 months suspension to play soccer.

  19. well that is wat u wanted really..nothing new here…because if u had taken the numerous advice given here this life would have been saved…this guy was supposed to be airlifted to south africa and treated with the bill going straight to mdf because they are the ones that have killed this young man ..and for wat?football…BAN ALL MILITARY TEAMS WITH IMIDIATE EFFECT…soldiers can not live in harmony with civilians and this is even more evidence..anthu a nkhondo apha civilian…kodi nde inunso a boma…munthuyu was injured by your people but u rather send che nkope to south africa instead of this guy eti?kodi boma lokondela ndi pa nthawi ya mavuto yomwe?

  20. soccer is for holigans and corruption, all over the world you see the same behaviour from the fans and supporters

  21. Kodi mwati asilikali eti…amenewatu awakhazikitsire chikho chawo chawo adzisewera okhaokha osati ndi ma civilian,asilikali anji okupha anthu omwenso akuwateteza?

  22. MHSRIP…..the world would have hold on to this innocent soul….munthu kutengera munthu nzake kuimfa…so sad!

  25. Mphavu Kuchuluka mdf,pitani mukakumane ndi boko harram,kapena pa tanzania pompa kunyanja tikudikira mphavu zanu osat ku ma sivilian kumawala ai.

  26. May his soul rest in peace. My condolence to the family for the pain they have and are going through. I cry for justice to prevail. MDF be banned immediately from the leagues in Malawi, till justice is seen to have prevailed.

  28. Am so khuzd with the death of this innocent young man.More remarks have been already said Ine Ndingoti Mulungu Asadikire Tsiku Lachiweruzo Alangiretu Mbuli Zimenezi Pansi Pompano Zingatithere Mtundu Wa Amalawi Okonda Masewerawa.

  30. Asilikali asiye kumenya mpira. They are trained to kill people and wn the beat ppo, its part of their game.

  31. no need to mention red LIONS as he was assaulted outside the stadium and the soldiers are jst suspects. RIP little boy

  32. Very Very unfortunate indeed,more question may rise for sure”what did the Sulom do wth the fine that was given?I thot they wanted to help the victim get better?culdnt tht money helpd hi even going to outside hospitls?
    So wht wll the govent do on tis incident?shuld they keep quiet and see this happening until until?by the way iz tht true tht till nw they are investgatng the suspect?zoona sanapezekebe kuti alandire dipo la zomwe wachitazo?tsono inu a Sulom mwalamula tht fine ndicholinga chanji?dzikoli tiziphana motere?Zenophobia ya ku Malawi tsono,hw can we trust you our soldiers?

  33. man p. chitsa ukunena zoona. inenso ndikadakhala president olo mkuru wa asilikari ndikadawachotsa ntchito nkuwaika mundende moyo wawo onse. no one is above the law. koma akadakhala kuti anthu wamba apha nsirikali amachita kukhala ngat waphedwayo ndi YESU Christu. Mudziulure nokha anthu ankhaza inu. kumati ku Soouth Africa koipa anthu akuthawa nkhaza zanuzo a silikali inu mbuli za mmalawi psiiii

  34. The soldiers who are responsible for the brutal attack and eventual death of the innocent young man are known,is the army shielding killers,nyamilandu and fam,govt why is everyone queit?are these killers soldiers above the law?they have killed an innocent person and walking free depriving the family their son,brother,nephew,uncle his right to live!all army should be banned!

  35. MHSRIP.

    But let us not be too emotional here. It appears that the football authorities know the culprits and now since this looks like a murder case, let justice take its course and if it means locking up the suspended soldiers for life and throwing away the keys to their cell in the lake, so be it. Banning the army teams from playing will not bring back Godffrey (MHSRIP); but surely locking up the culprits will act as a lesson to the other soldiers who engage in similar acts. Hooliganism must not be condoned in Malawian sports. My advice to the bereaved family, engage a good lawyer so that these hooligans can face the long arm of the law.

  36. asilikali akuno amagodziwa kumenya anthu ndikutukwana bax but kupita ku nkhondo mkumati ife ai sitimenya nawo tabwela ku peace keeping yogoyenda town,nonse ndinu dzitsiru ndipo uzamfa imfa zowawa

  37. It is unfortunate that the Brigadier made the comments that he made. These are guys that are illiterate at heart though the Army has given them some level of education. But people let me tell you something I very much doubt if what the Brigadier said represents the feelings of General Maulana and General Supuni. These are different guys if you meet and interact with them. Very humble and understanding. Ife ndiye azinzao amacheza ndi ma civilian and mingle so wonderfully. I would have loved if these guys from Red Lions who orchestrated this fight would have been banned for life. Sulom with the support of FAM should engage the Army top brass and iron out this continued occurrence of Army orchestrated football hooliganism otherwise if the views od the Brigadier represents those of the Army as an institution then for sure lets do away with the Army teams. Sakuti akhonza kuyambitsa League yao let them do so and lets see whether they will not be condemned into the doldrums of isolation and oblivion. Shame on those stupid soldiers

  39. ndikadzangoti ndakhala president , kapena ndikanakhala president lero lino ngati momwe alili bwanawa , ndinakachotsa tchito asilikali onse kuwalanda mifuti kuipeleka kwa apolisi nanga asilikali akuchita chani mdziko mwathumu ngati tinakumanepo ndi vuto la nkhondo ? manja awo akungokhalira kuyabwa aiwala kuti amalipidwa misonkho yathu . kupanda ife anakachitila kuti usilikali wawoo . mazoba osadulidwa , dzogwililira, nawo akazi opusa kumanyadila “ine mkazi wamsilikali ” zauchitsili !! nkhope zothimbilira ndi makokenizo mxxxxx !! poti madzi akataika saoleka . RIP !!!

  40. Victim of competition, leisure and success!!!!!!!!!. Was this situation avoidable??? some may say yes but I totally say NO coz all of us will die. Difference is HOW?

    my heartfelt condolences to the family for their LOSS. No more soccer for me. it has been a death trap since. But you will see them trying to do anything to make the game seem beautiful because !!!!!1 THEY BENEFIT FROM THE GAME!!!

    Unfortunately, life will go on as if STANLEY never lived. So SAD.

  41. Sulom ban Redlions from league ndi bwana wawo wopepera uja WA sports amene uja ndi chitsiru cha zitsiru

  43. Si Wamwalira? Si zomwe mumafuna inu a MDF ndi Brigadier wanu opepela uja? Instrumental kwa a MDF onse. Mudziwanso. Tithana nanu. Nonse apa Chichiri we know your movements. Not all the time mumakhala gulu or ndi Mfuti.
    Afiti…..! SULOM PLIZ BAN REDLIONS AND LET THEM PAY EXTRA DEARLY. Moyo wapitatu apa. BOTOMAN, SULEMAN ANS Tiya Somba…….ali mwana wanu or m’balewanu mungamve bwanji? MUSA HONGEDWENSO APA . Ikangozozora nkhani yo tithana ndi inuyonso.

  44. Minister of Sports – visiting the boy and kungopereka ma pepani basi. You could have sent him to South Africa. Koma apa tikukaika mwana wamng’ono ndiye kwa Chiwengo muzikatinso pepani.

  47. MAY YOUR SOUL REST IN PEACE BRO.
    God let his blood fall upon the soldiers who took part in beating innocent person like Bro.
    those who kill some one with a sword, the same sword should do the same,
    your days are numbering you guys.

  48. what are the burial arrangements like. communicate so that some may attend. May his soul rest in eternal peace. may the God Lord be with the family

  51. What a sad development! Most of these so called soldiers “sananyamuleko makope”; and they do not differenciate between playing field and battle field. Just imagine a whole Brigadier entrusted with sports, instead of being apologetic, challenging on media that they can pull out (how I wish they do so.It is better that way than condoning this type of behaviour).
    Apart from Red Lions, you can also see how Kamuzu Barracks has been behaving in its games.

    May the soul of Stanley rest in eternal peace!

  53. Brigadier General Paul Phiri ukumva bwaaa mnthupimo poti Godfrey Mwale mamwalira?Pamsana panu.RIP Godfery.

  58. God 4give them for beating this innocent young man to death.May his soul rest in peace!

  59. Sorry Mr. Mwale for losing a son in that brutal manner. MHSRP. If not going out of bounds, the Nurse attending to late Godfrey looks very caring. God bless her and hope authorities take note of that.

  60. The best was to ban the whole team for three years! or more so that other army teams should learn from them!
    With this development what will sulom do since life has been lost here? This is murder case. Where are the CSO. Kaya Mr Mtambo mulipo? a army awa apha munthu osalakwa mumalimbikira za chasowa tayankhulaniponitu apa!

  61. Now its beyond Sulom. This is a criminal issue and a murder file has to be opened and the suspects tried by the supreme laws of the land

  64. We can’t afford to accommodate these military team in our league, they are terrorist, they are butchers and the punishment they received for this tragedy SHOULD NEVER BE REDUCED. DO YOU GET THIS GRACE CHIUMIA. THESE ARE TERRORS AND NEVER SYMPATHIZE WITH THEM. RIP G. MWALE

  65. These so called Malawian soldiers , std 8 drop-outs are Stupid, illiterate, arrogant, uneducated, fools,cowards, mbuli Zachabechabe. Why do we even have the Army anyway when all they know is beating civilians for no apparent reasons? You are stupid motherfuckers!

  66. So why are the culprits not arrested for assault or murder when they appear to be identifiable? So MDF soldiers are untouchable, Really? Kupha munthu osalakwa and they are let to walk free just like that?!

    Who ever took part in this murder will never find peace on this earth – mpaka ma iron bars mwana wa nzanu?

    May his soul rest in peace.

  68. which is which? Nation newspaper today ikunena kuti condition ya mwale has drammatically improved following scan ya wednesday and that the father is happy.

  69. WHY beating somebody to death like xenophobia in john you soldiers? May his soul rest in peace

  71. HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC WAKE UP! YOUR VOICES ARE MORE POWERFUL THAN A BULLET

  72. Ndi zimene amadziwa asilikali a ku Malawi. Kumenya anthu osalakwa. Taonani mwachotsa moyo wa mnyamata amene makolo ake amamukonda. Chonde a SULOM chotsani ma team onse a silikali mu super league before another life is lost because of the so called soldiers beating innocent people

  73. It is very painful to lose a child more so a 24 year boy. Lives are lost more in football than Boxing or Rugby which are so physical, shame on Football and Red Lions.

  74. i think its high time Army teams are banned from Super leaugue apange yawo, this is very sad people. my sincere condolences to the family. MHSRIP

  78. MATIMU ATHU MUDZIMVERE CHISONI ALI MWANA WAKO ,MMBALE WAKO, I WILL PRAY IN THE NAME OF JESUS KUTI MULUNGU ALOWELELEPO UMALINGA ALI WAKO MWANA VERY SAD. MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE.

  80. Justice must take its course.am a soldier and senior officer for that matter and do not condone the acts of violence at football matches perpetuated by either soldiers or anyone else.Authorities must put this to an end whatever the cost will be.may the soul of the departed boy rest in peace.

  83. This is very bad. Fam must ban these army teams from participating in super league. They will not stop violence. Let them form their own league

  84. when a fan died in balaka the teams were deducted points….in this case red lions iyambireso ma points akamenye mu srfl amenewa…..its not easy to lose a son

  85. May his soul rest in peace. Too bad for football in Malawi. Instead of being entertaining it has become a death trap

  86. The soldiers should just be banned for playing football and they should concentrate on peace keeping missions inside and out of the country full stop.

  87. May His Soul Rest In Peace and may the good Lord comfort family members during this difficult time.

  89. DO WE REALLY NEED THE MALAWI ARMY? I NEED TO BE CONVINCED OF THE RELEVANCE OF THESE SAVAGES IN MALAWI. WHAT DO WE PAY THEM FOR OTHER THAN:
    1) PEPTRATING VIOLENCE ON THEIR OWN PEOPL
    2) SPREADING HIV

    PLEASE PETER MUTHARIKA, DISBAND THIS USELESS ORGANIZATION AND GIVE THEM POLICE DUTIES. MAYBE FOR ONCE THEY CAN BECOME USEFUL IN THIS COUNTRY

  90. Mwakoma mwana wamnyinu imwe viwasirikari. Mnyamata wamwene. Mwakondwa sono? Kasi pakumkhowola mumutu mukakhumbanga afwe na? Sono tiwone umo vitimumaliraninge. Mukuwona nga mwabisama, kweni manyani kuti ndopa yamunthu yingathika pawaka yayi. Umo tikulaghira apa nthe, ndi soka kwaimwe. Mzimu wako uwuse namtende Godfrey Mwale.

  94. Am appalled at how the law enforcers are left scot free to beat people up at will. The Army, that has not fought any war for us in our lifetime but we spend millions feeding them, often turns onto the very hands that feed them by beating us at will whenever they lose at football matches as well as just being drunk over petty issues.
    They are not alone, the police on the other hand also join in beating people with no sane reasons. I have a living example for the police who beat up my son only for taking pictures of a parade by recruits at Soche claiming it is prohibited to do so when the boy did not even know about the ban . and for the general public’s annoyance the parade is undertaken at an open ground that every passerby watches. How can such an event be secretive? In all fairness, asking the boy to deleted the pictures would have been enough. Reporting to the high ranking officers within the Police yielded nothing yet the boy sustained cuts in the mouth, swollen face and a black eye for months.
    These law enforcers must be taken to task and I urge the Government not to just look at this as football matters but investigate and perpetrate the culprits/soldier murderers until they properly charged and punished. As for me, am still watching the Police actions before persuing the matter further

  95. I hate these brutal uneducated so-called soldiers. Why would one gets killed for a sport??? I thought sport is meant to make people happy regardless of the results! Mwale family, my heart is with you. And young Mwale, rest in peace!

  96. This is unfair and something must be done and desciplined to avoid this in future. MHSRIP

  97. palibe chowawa ngati kholo kuyika mwana wake. pepani.

    may god bring down his full wrath on those std 4 creatures that did this. may you and your future genetations be cursed forever.

  99. very bad and sad news. nde mwati akufuna salary yambiri anthu amenewa? For killing innocent civilians?. Gvt. should intervene. tsiku lina team yonse ya asilikali idzaona zomwezi

  100. Out of the 3.6 million which the team has been ordered to pay,how much is this grieving family getting?….Kapena a Fam/Sulom mwaganiza zongonyambita nokha?..Do you want to benefit pa chisoni cha amnzanu? Give them something athandizikire pachipysinjo chawagwerachi.

Comments are closed.