Malawi Police arrests suspect in Njaunju murder

Malawi Police have arrested and charged Frank John with murder offence relating to the senseless killing of Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) director of corporate services Issa Njauju.

Njaunju car in ashes
Njaunju car in ashes

Police spokeswoman Rhoda Manjolo confirmed the arrest of the suspect and that he is on remand at Maula Prison.

However, she could not disclose more information on the suspect and the investigations that led to his arrest, saying “its not for public consumption.”

Police arrested John because he allegedly was found with the deceased phone.

Critics say Police are ignoring the larger picture because of political pressure as ACB boss was reportedly killed by a “state-sponsored” mafia-style attack.

Njauju was brutally murdered and his body thrown aside presidential villas along presidential drive in the capital city’s Area 44 on July 2 2015.

His official car a Toyota Hilux D4D double cabin was burnt down to ashes.

Post-mortem results showed that Njauju was shot twice in the neck and chest before he was buried near Lilongwe River.

Justin Dzonzi who is Executive Director for Justice Link faulted the police for failure to show professional handling of the crime scene involving the high profile ACB official.

“When a gun is fired you would find shell casings where the shots were fired and if you assume that the person who shot might have been in the car it is then possible that you can find evidence in the car so on and so forth.

“Now if that car has been disturbed before the investigating team has had time to investigate then they may lose all certain clues that may lead them to certain conclusions’, said Dzonzi.

He explained that If at the investigation level the police have not been able to establish what exactly happened even if some individuals were to be arrested it becomes extremely difficult for prosecutors to prove in court that indeed those individuals are connected to the crime that took place.

Dzonzi said this is because investigators will have failed to gather sufficient evidence with which to convict suspects.

“Remember that in court its evidence that speaks volume, it’s not just mere allegation so you will need to arm yourself with sufficient factual information that would then show what actually happened.

“So the disturbance of the crime scene would affect both investigations and subsequent prosecution if it were to take place”, said Dzonzi.

Police said initial investigations indicated cashgate – probe into systematic plunder of public resources – could be the reason to Njaunju’s savage murder.

Envoys from the United Kingdom, United States, Germany, the European Union, Norway and Ireland called for speedy investigations and warned that intimidation and bribery should not been used to deter ACB from pursuing those denying the country its much-needed resources through corruption.

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :

Sharing is caring!

Follow us in Twitter
57 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
victim Chamkhuni Lwazazi
victim Chamkhuni Lwazazi
8 years ago

How was the vehicle burnt in Mtandile Township 10 km from near State House where the body was found? What particular case in the 15 year cash gate was he invetigating at the time of his death? Where are the sincere law enforcers and government powers in Malawi? Remember, God was, is and will be in control – When He acts and will act, no one is equal or above Him, even if you do not believe in Him.

nyavizwazwa
nyavizwazwa
8 years ago

This is very true, Frank John is tortured on the activity of weacked people. God will judge

vendort
vendort
8 years ago

Phone alone may not be enough evidence. Unfortunately phones can be bought in streets. Police probe deeper

Kamchenyenthe
Kamchenyenthe
8 years ago

The police have long believed that ordinary Malawians don’t think except themselves or else how would one explain the stupidity demonstrated by police in claiming that Njauju was murdered by a Mr. Frank. Njauju killers were fairly sophisticated the sophistication that Mr Frank or John does not possess. Looking at his wife and children it’s very clear Mr Frank is being tortured to cover up. There is no doubt to most Malawians that some state agency killed Njauju. The police should stop belittling Malawians by thinking that their narrative makes sense to us. Munachita kubaya. But remember you will also… Read more »

mulamu pelekani@gmail.com

Citizens please lets on the streets and demonistrate to show solidality to the family. There are people who die for their rights, but Malawian cowards can not do it. And if they want to do they are bought. How do you sleep when you know you took blood money? The man died for what he believed he was doing the right for the nation and the people. Shall we call him brave or coward? NO! The cowards are us. We are going back to Kamuzu Banda,s time. Why did we want democrancy? Dont let this case to be another Chasowa… Read more »

mulamu pelekani@gmail.com

Blame yourselves Malasians. What did you expect from DDP? Nothing has changed. APM said it before he stole the votes that he will take where his brother left. What did he mean and where was his brother left? DDP know that they stole votes that is why they have not protested when Chakwale says it opening. In Normal circumstance they could sued him but they have kept quite. Problem of Malawi majority of young men and women are not educated and aware of how the governmen should run. It is them who vote for these idiots. Because their mins set… Read more »

Malawi wa Lero
Malawi wa Lero
8 years ago

One sophisticated indiviual big enough to lift/carry a human body plans to kill Njaunju. He arms himself with the latest model gun with probably a silencer, a hoe, a bucket of water, a match box or lighter. Njaunju is eventually killed and we are told the killer is a simple Malawian who can not buy a phone of his own. Did the Malawi Police not tell us that they had released Cell Phone man because of lack of evidence. Bwanji kudzikolakola simungakhale ndimanyazi.

Keen Observer
8 years ago

Ya human life is not something to play with. The other thing is incompetence on the part of police service, they’re not well equipped with the modern technology. But that is a stepping stone to finding the truth. It doesn’t matter whether it was the people in power or other forces but one day the truth will come in the open cos it always does.

Stanley
Stanley
8 years ago

Bribe that is only problem

Change
Change
8 years ago

Dausi, Dausi, Dausi, you will start suffering right here on earth before you go to hell for the work you are doing. Hiding in Catholicism Kumadya u kalistia.

Read previous post:
Malawians poke MANEB over MSCE exam results

The Malawi National Examinations Board (Maneb) has quashed the news going viral on the social media that this year’s Malawi...

Close