Death of protester on remand saddens HRDC
Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) says it is saddened and shocked with the death of Justin Phiri, a protester who was allegedly roughed up by Malawi Defence Force (MDF) soldiers last week during the anti-Jane Ansah demonstrations.
It is reported that Phiri died on Tuesday at the Mzuzu Central Hospital.
However, other reports indicate that he died while in police custody before he was taken to the hospital.
He was among the protesters that were arrested during last week’s march protests and was transferred from Karonga to Mzuzu to be remanded at Mzuzu Prison awaiting court appearance.
According to acting National Chairperson for HRDC Happy Mhango, the incident will bring joy to the oppressors.
“It is unfortunate that we have lost one of us. This should be the happiest day for oppressors because that’s what they wanted. It is sad that we are in a situation where people are losing lives because they demand electoral justice questioning credibility of elections” he is quoted by The Nation Newspaper.
However, Mhango said they will not peddle back in their quest to see Jane Ansah stepping down as MEC Chairperson.
“We are saying even though we have lost one of own, we will not relent until we see electoral justice in this country” said Mhango.
Meanwhile, family members have engaged a lawyer in search of justice to what led to the cause of Phiri’s death.
The family members have also stopped police and hospital authorities from conducting postmortem on Justin’s body and revealed through their Lawyer Brecious Kondowe that they will engage an independent expert.
About 10 MDF soldiers and over 20 civilians got injured during the fracas between the two sides.
It was reported that the battle started after the protesters threw stones at the soldiers.
Meanwhile, MDF Commander General Vincent Nundwe has bemoaned the tendency of attacking soldiers.
Nundwe said the soldiers are always there to protect the people and ensure there is tight security.
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You said the army were your friends. Yet since you started your stupid activity no one has been killed by the police. and now this one ask your friends at MDF, the police were just keeping these people on instructions from MDF
Last time it was Mwakasungula who sacrifice 21 people and now another Tumbuka Ntambo has taken over and in the coming days as per his master Chakwera more blood is going to be spilled. What happened in Blantyre was just the beginning.
R I P my bro till the day we meet again in the God’s glory for you who are talking kack here you should know that freedom do not come in silver plate and you’re the one wining dining with this vapour club of the party
“Abusa” a Chakwera promised to sacrifice blood ma results a zisankho asanatuluke nkomwe, and here we are. Prophecy of darkness fulfilled, Chakwera is happy koma u president auphonya basi. Whosoever advised Chakwera was very wrong, and so was the ear that heeded the advice
Mtambo ndiyemwe akayike maliro amenewo ,a Malawi mukufenji odyerela ndi mtambo ndi trapance inu yanu ndi ifa .olo mulungu yo odziwa chilungamo akhoza kuwonaso kut mtambo nde olakwa .nokha munatengera bungwe la mec ku Court tose tikudikira Court kut lit chiyani .mwina anagamula kale kut mec ndiyolakwa . watsala mtambo kut azime tikoza ndikilani no more Malawi army , Malawi police kukupatsani chitetezo mumuze chakwera ndi chilima akupatseni chitetezo mukamapita ku ma demo anuwo ,Jane asah sakutula pasi udindo kaya mufe nose a utm ,mcp HRDC ,ife tikudikira Court basi malingana ndi malamulo.
Foolish Happy Mhango, you mean this death can not signal anything in your head. How evil are you people? Your pay masters are more important than people’s lives and property. Mhango one day you will be a victim like Mayaya may be you will come to your senses. Mzanu Mtambo ali ndi ndondosya for his protection. Justin your mother warned you not to go to demos but the evil Mtambo was stronger than your mother and here you are dead. Very bad!!! And the evil says demos will continue not caring about the loss of lives as long as pay… Read more »
Coward! Have you ever heard that freedom comes on a silver platter? We are tired of this DPP dictatorship. We will fight tooth and nail until our freedom is given back to us.
Watopa nayo ndi iweyo ndi chilima ndi chakwera ndi mtambo.ine ndango joiner mwezi wathawu
Pali democracy, there z no freedom guys . FYI a Mtambo akupusisa fanz zawo zikutheka. 1 demo , more funds , more money in their pockets
Anthu akuda nzeru ndizochepa tikuphana tokha tokha brothers and sisters shame on you black people
Thus what happens, when you think you are clever than others. Mtambo and friends are alive and enjoying life. Please be wise and start valuing life. What has he benefitted now. Anyway we think differently so I respect others views that it matters less to risk ones life so that a Mtambo should gain the fame but for me, my life is more precious to risk.
Very true Amdara, if you are a fool, you will be hacked or die because of Mtambo and his team. Wake up sleeping people!! Wake up sleeping people!! Kodi Mtambo akulozani?
mphoto ya uchimo ndi infa basi ndiye muzitiuza kutimukufuna postmortem ya chani wafa wafa basi ndiponsotu muli ndi mwayi monse mwayambira muja kufa m’modzi yekha basi shaaa
sham poor malawian i dont know what to say now about our future as malawians coz this is getting out of hands i can tell u that brothers and sisters we are not going any where with this stupid behavier. killing each other does not solve the problem.