Malawi Police arbitrarily shot and kill two in Lilongwe

Malawi Police Service has continued to apply a ‘shoot-to-kill’ policy with the latest victims being Luke Lumbani Msonda and Lawrance Kawonga, who were arbitrarily shot and killed in Lilongwe as thy were coming from Area 25 together with a friend.

Police attacked the three and snatched cash which they had. Apparentl, Msonda has gone to collect money from his debtors in Area 25.

They were reportedly shot at a forest in what relations are calling “murder”.

Police then took the two men’s bodies to Kamuzu Central Hospital’s mortuary alleging they were robbers.

However, Kawonga regained consciousness and was rushed to the hospital’s ICU where he’s reported to have narrated the whole ordeal.

A relation to Lumbani Msonda, Ken Msonda, who is Publicity Secretary for the People’s Party, said police action is unacceptable.

“As a family, we are shocked, saddened and confused. If this isn’t the Shoot to Kill policy at work, then it’s a case of mistaken identity,” said Msonda.

The opposition politician claimed Police were after him to apply ‘shoot-to-kill’.

Msonda said Police have taken the life of “innocent brother, who in his entire life never wronged them.”

He added: “ Our lives are in danger [Under DPP regime].”

Malawi Law Society recently called dthe the so-called ‘shoot-to-kill’ policy as unlawful

The society’s secretary Khumbo Soko and president John Suzi Banda said the society had noted with concern that several people suspected of criminal activities have been shot dead by police officers.

The society further said instead of killing suspects, police should provide public safety and protect rights of all Malawians regardless of their status.

According to MLS, although use of lethal force by MPS is regulated by law, firearms should only be used to arrest anyone who attempts to evade lawful arrest or tries to escape from lawful custody.

On the other hand, Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) is on record as saying it is documenting incidences where criminals have been killed by police.

But National Police Headquarters spokesperson Rhoda Manjolo says there is no policy of ‘shoot-to-kill’.

Manjolo said ”where robbers aim at killing innocent civilians and police officers, police officers aim at protecting civilians by disabling the armed robbers.”

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