Malawi Police IG says ‘wrong’ to conclude that MDF soldiers killed football fan

Police Inspector General Lesten Kachama has said there is no objective evidence to conclude that Malawi Defence Force (MDF) soldier assaulted Godfrey Mwale, who was a 24-year-old college student, in post-match violence that led to his after succumbing to serious head injuries.

On what was meant to be a news conference on the violent robbery which took place in Lilongwe on Monday in the capital Lilongwe and left one police officer dead, Kachama was taken by surprise by a reported who quizzed him on the death of Mwale and why police have not arrested his attackers.

“It is wrong to conclude that this was done by members of the Malawi Defence Force,” said Kachama.

“For now we cannot conclude that the people who beat Godfrey were MDF soldiers let the police do their investigations,” Kachama added.

Mwale 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 Malawi Defense Force side Red Lions.

He suffered acute hematoma as a result of head trauma and swelling of the brain, according to Dr Patrick Kamalo.

Trouble flared after Red Lions players assaulted referee Borniface Chipinga following the final whistle, angry with him for a penalty he awarded to Surestream in the dying minutes. The game ended 2-2.

Father of the deceased Police Senior Superintendent Stanly Mwale described his son’s death as “wrongful death” and vowed to seek justice on his child’s killing.

He said he had no doubt that his son was killed by MDF soldiers following the evidence by people who witnessed the beating of his son have been presenting.

Among other things, Mwale claims his son was beaten by people who descended from an MDF TATA truck.

Mwale’s death is the second  from football violence in Malawi in two years and Sports Minister Grace Chiumia wants more to be done to tackle the problem.

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