Malawi army soldiers kill 2 over Dzalanyama

A man has died in Lilongwe, a second death in two weeks after allegedly been severely beaten by Malawi Defence Force soldiers as the battle over Dzalanyama forest wears an ugly face.

Peter Dimba, Lilongwe L South MP told Zodiak radio on Saturday that Daniel Kalendo from Chimkudzi village in the area of chief Masambankhunda in Lilongwe has died at St Gabriel Hospital in Namitete, Lilongwe of his injuries he had in legs and arms allegedly sustained because of severe beating from the soldiers.

“He is the second to die. We reported the matter to the highest level, the deputy minister of Defence but we are getting no response from the government,” said Dimba.

He said this has completely stalled development in his area as people are running away when they hear a car sound.

The first person who died was 80 year old Joseph Jamiele who died after he was allegedly beaten by the soldiers.

The deceased wife, Diana, said her husband was forcibly taken by men in MDF soldiers on January, 11 and was brought back the next day by some villagers severely wounded, bleeding and very weak and died hours later.

She said his body was taken to Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe but said the police refused to release the postmorterm examination report to the deceased family.

Yohane Kadya said he was among the 10 people that the soldiers forcibly took out of the village for interrogation along with the two deceased.

He said they were severely beaten up and were taken to a swamp (dambo) where the soldiers would beat them, then throw them in water until the 80 year old collapsed and fainted, saying this is when the soldiers released them.

MDF spokesman Paul Chiphwanya said the arny have not received an official complaint on the matter, saying once a complaint is received, they would institute an investigation an soldiers involved would receive disciplinary action.