Police arrest eight more for July 20 looting
By Green Muheya, Nyasa Times
Malawi police continue harassing and arresting people for being suspected of being part of the shops’ looters following the deadly July 20 anti-government demonstrations.
Millions of Kwachas were lost in the peaceful-turned violent demonstrations after irate Malawians demolished property, primarily belonging to the ruling party’s senior officials and bankrollers like Mulli Brothers Limited. Other kinds of damage included looting of Indian and Chinese shops and burning of DPP vehicle and police houses.
And the latest is the arrest of eight people in Zingwangwa Township, Blantyre city, according to Southern Region Police Spokesperson Davie Chingwalu.
The eight are believed to be part of dozens of angry plunderers who rummaged through Chipiku Chain store in the location and made away with assorted items.
“These eight suspects were involved in the looting of Chipiku store in Zingwangwa. Upon searching their houses we have recovered over 60 iron sheets, several bags of cement and bales of sugar,” explained Chingwalu on Tuesday.
The police publicist said the suspects will be taken to court within the week to answer charges of theft.
Already, over 100 people across the country suspected to have taken part in the looting remain in custody after they were refused bail.
“As police it is our duty to protect people’s property and we will continue executing our rightful duty,” he said.
Since the looting, police, particularly CIDs, have aimlessly been going round locations where ransacking of shops took place, for spying. In some cases envious neighbours have reported their friends who took part in the felonies.
At least 19 Malawians lost their lives during the demos which apart from shops, banks mainly in Lilongwe such as such the First Merchant (FMB) and Opportunity International (OIBM) also suffered the vandalism and robbed of unspecified amounts of cash.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :
