Arrest looming for ‘shoot to kill’ Malawi cops -Minister
Arrests are on the way for Malawi police officers implicated in the deaths of four individuals in Kafukule in Mzimba in 2009, Home Affairs Minister Uladi Mussa told parliament on Thursday.
Minister of Justice and Attorney General Ralph Kasambara has also said trigger happy police officers who killed and assaulted citizens during the July 20, 2011 demonstrations will face charges.
“I would like to stress here that this government will not condone any police brutality . I am going to make sure that this incident is fairly and justly concluded,” Mussa, Home Affairs Minister told Parliament.
He made the statement after Mzimba West lawmaker Billy Kaunda asked what was being done on the incident where four people protesting the death of a suspect in police custody were shot dead and the fifth, a child, lost an arm at the hands of police.
Parliament heard from the Minister that Robert Chima, a robbery suspect, was arrested on 21st November 2009 after Potani Nyirongo reported to Kafukule Police that his property worth K70, 000 had been stolen.
“The Police managed to recover various properties from the accused who reported ill the following day. He was taken to Kafukule Health Center where he eventually died. The relatives became angry and damaged the Police station and houses,” Mussa said.
The Minister faulted the law enforcers for use deadly force, saying their action was “unacceptable.”
He said: “This administration (People’s Party of President Joyce Banda) respects the rule of law.”
Mussa said the boy who lost his arm should “ seek redress through the courts which will determine appropriate compensation.”
Meanwhile, Justice Minister Kasambara says the Director of Public Prosecutions is studying the file on July 20 killings and would prosecute the police officer who killed the protestors.
Twenty people died during the demonstrations as Malawians protested the economic hardships and bad laws under the administration of former president Bingu wa Mutharika.
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