Karonga girl, 16, shot in police-locals tussle over ‘private parts’ deals
Police in Karonga Monday night shot a 16 year-old Form One girl during riots that ensued following people’s dissatisfaction with the manner in which the state is handling businessman John Phiri’s aborted private parts business case.
People are questioning the state why Phiri is being used as a whistleblower and not a witness to Owen Msukwa (32), of Mwangomba Village in the district, who allegedly wanted to sell his child to the businessman to settle his K500, 000 debt.
But Karonga Police’s deputy commissioner Peter Mangani only confirmed the shooting of the schoolgirl, arrest of 6 people and the burning of a vehicle belonging to Phiri populary known as ‘Teacher’ in the district without divulging any appealing details on the matter.
Eye witnesses told Nyasa Times that the girl was shot near Karonga Community Day Secondary School which is close to Phiri’s house where people went with an intention of burning down his house only to be distracted by the police.
“We’ll deal with him [Phiri]. Police have failed us,” said one of the protestors in an interview with Nyasa Times.
Nyasa Times reported Monday that Phiri has called the police twice in a space of two weeks reporting two suspects of wanting to sell him human body private parts.
While one of the suspects wanted to sell his whole child, another allegedly wanted to sell Phiri a human head.
Locals argue by the fact that two people were both caught wanting to sell body private parts to Phiri, it means he is also an accomplice in the case and not a whistle blower as police is making them to believe.
A few years ago, the businessman also answered similar charges but was acquitted.
