Police vehicle hits, kills Mtambo’s uncle: Raise suspicions

A Malawi police vehicle in Chitipa has hit and killed instantly an uncle to outspoken human rights activist Timothy Mtambo, bringing fears of the safety of the activists and their families.

The death comes at a time when Mtambo and his Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) have heightened anti-Jane Ansah protests, drawing criticism and opposition from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) operatives.

Police spokesperson in Chitipa Gladwell Simwaka has confirmed a police vehicle has crashed to death Binwell Mtambo.

The fatal accident, he said, took place on Thursday evening.

“The vehicle was coming from Lufita when it accidently hit Mr. Mtambo,” said Simwaka.

But HRDC chairperson in the district Sydney Simwaka said the accident is suspicious.

Simwaka said the vehicle had  no head lights.

“We went to police after the incident, but it seems the vehicle in question does not have lights and this may have led to the accident,” he said.

Under the leadership of Mtambo, the HRDC has been organising protests aimed at forcing the resignation of Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chairperson Jane Ansah.

They accuse Ansah of overseeing a fraudulent electoral process.