Burundian murder Malawi man, arrested as  mob loot his pub

A Burundian National is in Police custody in Lilongwe after being arrested in connection with  the murder of a Malawian over the debt of K800 in which he is a suspect.

Lilongwe Police Publicist Kingsley Dandaula confirmed to Nyasa Times on the arrest, saying the suspect  Froudard Ngedzayo has been charged with murder.

The murder victim is  Malawian man Kondwani Matapa who Sunday night wanted to leave without settling a bill of 800 Malawi kwacha (slightly under US $2) at Ngedzayo pub in Mchesi. The Burundian confronted him and a fight ensued.

“During the fight Mr. Ngedzayo produced a knife and stabbed Mr. Matapa with it. He was pronounced dead on arrival at Kamuzu Central Hospital,” police spokesman said.

“We have since arrested Mr. Ngedzayo and charged him with murder,” said Dandaula.

Kondwani, who had a carpentry workshop along the main road in Mchesi, was one of the only two remaining in the Matapa family having lost parents, sisters and brothers.

He was looking after seven orphans and according to neighbours, he is survived by an expectant wife and one child.

The residents of Mchesi in Lilongwe went to his pub where they caused havoc and were only restrained by police from torching  the drinking joint. They however looted the pub and went away with assorted types of beers.

Police had to use tear gas to disperse the irate mob.

Ngedzayo and  his family had already fled the house and sought refuge at a nearby police post.

Mchesi is one of the volatile squatter townships in Lilongwe.

Meanwhile, the residents are  demanding the removal of all Burundians in the area and Dandaula said police are patrolling the township for fear of possible xenophobia attacks.

“We will continue to patrol the and protect the Burundian community,” he said.

There is a sizeable Burundi community in Lilongwe. Most of them came to Malawi as refugees but have since left the Malawi Government-UNHCR-run Dzaleka  Refugee Camp to rent houses in the city where they are doing thriving business from the monthly stipend they get from the United Nations body.

Burundians have established various businesses in the city of Lilongwe.