Malawi army, FAM sued over football fan’s death following assault

The family of a football fan, who was assaulted in post-match violence and died in hospital last month after succumbing to serious head injuries has sued Malawi Defence Force (MDF), Red Lions FC, Super League of Malawi (Sulom) and Football Association of Malawi (FAM).

Godfrey Mwale, who was a 24-year-old college student, was attacked about 500m from the Kamuzu Stadium on 10 May.

The incident happened as violence spilled over to the streets following a Super League match involving Surestream FC and MDF side Red Lions.

Mwale suffered acute hematoma as a result of head trauma and swelling of the brain, and did not recover.

Stanley Mwale, father to Geoffrey, confirmed to Nyasa Times that he has sued the teams through private practice lawyer through John Gift Mwakhwawa for justice to take its course.

Mwale, who is senior police officer said his son was assaulted despite that he was not in the wrong.

“I have sued Malawi Defence Force, Red Lions, Sulom and Fam because it pains me and the family as whole to lose such an innocent son just because of football when he was not involved in the violence,” Mwale said.

“The place where he was beaten was not at the football match. He was attacked at a bus depot while waiting to board a bus,” said Mwale.

He said the lawyers would proceed with legal action for the death of his son , who died at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital where he was being treated.

The game between Surestream ended in a two-all draw amid controversial goals from the team now FISD Wizards FC.

Trouble flared after Red Lions players assaulted referee Borniface Chipinga following the final whistle, angry with him for a penalty he awarded to Wizards in the dying minutes.

Some fans responded by smashing Red Lions’ team bus and soldiers were called to the scene from a nearby army base at Chichiri.

But so far nobody has been arrested by Malawi Police Service raising suspicion that the soldiers were ordered to beat fans by a senior MDF officer in revenge for smashing windows of their team bus.

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :