JB to probe Chasowa’s killing, Mukhito denies suicide attempt

Malawi Head of State Joyce Banda on Tuesday announced she was instituted a Commission of Inquiry to probe the circumstances surrounding the murder of a student activist, Robert Chasowa in September 2011.

Chasowa, 25, was a University of Malawi engineering student and political activist at the Polytechnic. Chasowa was the chair of a student activist group, Youth for Democracy (YFD).

“Whether one likes it or not we will have to know what killed our son,” said President Banda in her second press conference since she assumed the country’s highest office.

President Banda says proe Chasowa killing as Mukhito (right) denies suicide attempt

“I want to make sure that Chasowa’s death is thoroughly probed. If it is a question of inadequate resources, I will personally source them to facilitate this investigation,” she said.

Madame President said she understood the frustrations Malawians have over the several commissions of inquiries that were previously set up but never produced results and pledged her personal commitment to ensure the one she has established performs.

“This particular commission shall come up with the results and will know who killed our child,” she said with authority.

“have told the responsible people that if government has no money, I will find it somewhere to make sure that the commission does its job,” President JB said.

Late Chasowa was found dead on the Polytechnic college pavement and the police, who were looking for him in connection with some publication critical of the government, rushed to announce to the nation that he had committed suicide.

But a few days later, renowned Pathologist Dr Charles Dzamalala issued a report after he conducted an autopsy on his body which indicated that the youth political activist was actually murdered.

Slowly the media started gathering information that former Police Inspector General of Police Peter Mukhito, and some few of his killer-squad, was behind the murder of the student.

Mukhito was fired by the new Malawi leader barely two days after she was sworn-in as Malawi’s president and replaced by one of the longest serving senior police officers Loti Dzonzi.

There were widespread rumours that Mukhito had committed suicide on Tuesday.

But when Nyasa Times contacted him, he downplayed the reports and said he was “much alive.”

“ I never attempted to commit suicide in any other form. There is no truth in that. I am resting at home,” he said .

Mukhito said he is not disturbed with rumours as he knows “it’s a season on speculations.”

Last year, late President Bingu wa  Mutharika told the nation, through the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), he would appoint a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the death of Chasowa but until his death on April 5, the commission was not yet established.

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