Nyasa Times journo attacked in Lilongwe
Nyasa Times senior journalists Lucky Mkandawire was lucky to escape with minor bruises but lost equipment and personal belongings worthy MK220,000 after thugs masquerading as taxi operators attacked him in Lilongwe.
Mkandawire lost four decent shirts, Nokia 1100 phone handset, one jean trouser, two decent trousers, a wallet with undisclosed cash, sony digital camera, internet dongle, Samsung phone, ATM cards and formal shoes.
Mkandawire, who is based in Blantyre told Nyasa Times that he had just dropped off a bus from Blantyre in the wee hours of Sunday and decided to board a taxi to Area 25 where he wanted to deliver some other things.
“As usual a taxi diver came to me and offered to take me to Area 25. But on the way he pretended as if answering a call from a friend who was telling him that there was fuel a certain filling station. He then told me that he was going to pick some people on the way so that they help him buy fuel,” a visibly traumatized Mkandawire narrated.
He said on the way the taxi stopped at bus stop and three men entered the vehicle.
“They locked the doors and grabbed by the neck telling that I shout not shout. They frisked me and took everything I had including my bag. They punched in the head and face and threw me out like a sack at the Sanctuary Forest near Lingadzi Inn,” he said.
Mkandawire said he said there for more than 30 minutes not believing what had happened to him.
“I then walked to Area 3 Police Station where I reported the ordeal,”he said.
Mkandawire, who is now in Mzuzu for series of meeting, said he is still reliving the experience saying “I am emotionally disturbed.”
