Minister Msaka backs Malawi army soldiers use of excessive force
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Bright Msaka has backed Malawi Defense Force (MDF) soldiers on the use of excessive force that has led to the killing of a suspected enchroacher on Thursday at Mulanje mountain forest reserve.
In retaliation to the killing, irate villagers stormed the forest reserve and chased away the soldiers who were guarding the forest, seriously wounding one soldier who is now battling for his life at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre.
“The soldiers are well trained how to use excessive force. It is unfortunate that a life was lost,” he said.
Msaka is the most senior government official to comment on the matter after the incident on Thursday.
He said the soldiers can use live ammunition if faced with a volatile situation which can cost their lives as well.
“These enchroachets are heavily armed when they enter the forest reserves and the soldiers have to respond accordingly,” he said.
He however said the soldiers are told to protect the forests without shooting to death people who enchroach the forests.
The government has deployed soldiers to protect forests in Chikangawa, Dzalanyama, Dedza and Mulanje among other forests.
The situation has now calmed in Mulanje following the confrontation between the villagers and soldiers.
even here in machinga come and see wat they did, yes indeed they are well trained but in their specific duties not in forest presavation people are dyng due to excessive beaten by your sodier or is this DRC? Kut tidzikhala amantha? OR W SHALL BE GET TOGETHER NAFESO MITENGO AKULONDELAYO NCTHITO ZAKE NDI ZAMBIRI MOT OLO KUNGOTHOTHOLA MIZU YAKEYO MWINA ASLIKALIWA ACHEPE MDZIKO MUNOAKUMASOWA CHOCHITA TIWATSITSILE PANSI
When you are a minister, you just see that all is well. Come down from that post and see your relatives dying
We are going to use traditional ways to chase them away. Don’t come to us when we start
hey Mr Msaka……Soldiers were trained to kill!!they are trained to protect enemies from other countries so far they’re failing to defend our Lake from Tanzania,but busy shooting poor people eeeish too bad.iwe Msaka chenjera ndi malankhulidwe ako
soildiers wakeup for your duty fight Mataifa not your brothers
this is only best soulution to protect our zachilengedwe hang up mdf
Msaka that is death just close your mouth
use of other means is better than shootng look the results now. vry pathetic to both victisms