Malawi law enforcers indefinitely close down police unit in Mangochi

Police in Mangochi have indefinitely closed down Namwera police unit after an angry mob attacked it and damaged property demanding the release of a suspected thief for mob justice.

Mangochi police spokesman Rodrick Maida confirmed the closure of the police post which served thousands of people around Namwera Trading Centre and surrounding villages.

Maida said on Thursday night, one of the shops at the trading centre was broken into and people suspected a serial thief who had just been released from prison in November.

The suspect had earlier gone to the shop to buy rice and was spotted chatting with another suspected thief of the area so people mobilised themselves on Friday and apprehended the two who were brought to the police unit,” he said.

He said hours later on Friday, the people went back to the police unit demanding the release of the two suspects so that they could administer mob justice on them.

The police, he said, drove off the two to Mangochi police for their safety, this is what angered that people who descended on the police unit, stoning it and in the process damaging the police unit and staff houses window panes and roofs prompting the police to close down the police unit.

He said no one has been arrested in connection with the damage of government property and the mayhem.