Attacked Malawi Police officer dies: Mutharika condemns

Malawi Police continue losing its officers following the assault causing grievous leading to the death of Sergent Alex Mlotha.

Mlotha died on Tuesday following the attack which he sustained from the attack during the wee hours of Monday by unknown assailants.

Police Public Relations Officer, Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Police Roda Manjolo said on Monday that people who attacked Area 23 Police Unit are not known and they are carrying investigations.

Lilongwe Police Station Public Relations Officer Kingsley Dandaula said the incident happened around 1:00 AM when a group of ten people sought assistance from the police unit only to attack the Officer in charge who was attending to them.

”It is indeed true that the incident happened earlier this morning. A group of over ten people dressed in military attire comprising green T-shirts and camouflage trousers attacked Officer in Charge  who was attending to them. Officers on duty came to rescue  only to have a petrol bomb thrown at them before the group kidnapped the Officer in Charge,” said Dandaula.

According to Dandaula, residents around the unit who were awaken by the commotion at the unit mobilised themselves to put out the fire and search for the kidnapped officer.

Spokesperson of Mlotha family, Dellick Mlotha is calling upon Police Service to probe and demand justice.

“We are very shocked over the demise of our relative but what pains us is that up to now we don’t know who killed our relation,” said Mlotha.

Condemn and condolence

Meanwhile, President Peter Mutharika has condemened the attack and send his condolences to the bereaved family.

“The President and Government extend their deepest condolences to sergeant Mlotha’s wife and children, the extended family and the entire Malawi Police Service on this unfortunate death” reads a statement issued by the State House.

The statement, signed by Chikondi Juma, adds: “The President further condemns the attacks that some unknown people have been perpetrating targeting Police officers and ordinary civilians which have left several people injured and some dead and in some cases, infrastructure destroyed”.

Last week, deputy commander of Malawi Defence Force, Lieutenant General Griffin Supuni, was detained at the Area 18 Police station for assaulting police officers who had responded to a robbery attack.

Some suspect the attacks are carried by some army officers.