Murdered for alleged Bonya theft: Malawi Police arrest 9 men
Police in Mzuzu have arrested nine people for allegedly murdering a 44-year-old man at Chambo Trading Centre in Mzimba District after an altercation following the theft of his Bonya “small” fish.
Mzuzu Police Publicist Sergeant Maurice Chapola in a statement identified the deceased as Kafumbi Chione of Eliya Village, Traditional Authority Mtwalo in Mzimba District.
The Police Publicist said Chione picked a quarrel with the lead suspect 22-year-old Black Munthali of Kawonavichi Village, Traditional Authority Mtwalo in the District whom he accused of stealing his Bonya.
Chapola did not provide details of the other eight suspects but said all the suspects hail from Traditional Authority Mtwalo in the District.
According to Chapola the accusation did not please the suspect and he publicly threatened unspecified action on Chione before quitting the drinking joint leaving the deceased and his brother.
“The suspect allegedly mobilized accomplices and waylaid the deceased at a maize field near Chamono River. When the deceased and his brother were about to cross the river, the suspects pounced on them and beat them mercilessly leaving the deceased unconscious while his brother managed to crow to the next village where he sort refuge,” the police publicist said.
Passersby discovered the next morning in a pool of blood and took him to Ekwendeni Hospital.
However, Ekwendeni Hospital further referred him to Mzuzu Central Hospital where he was battling for his life at the intensive care unit, until Wednesday when he died.
A Post-mortem report from Mzuzu Central Hospital indicated that death due to severe head injury.
Chapola said the nine suspects face Murder charges contrary to section 209 of the Penal Code. Maximum penalty for murder is the death.
