Pub ‘axe’ killing prompts murder arrest

Malawi Police in Nkhata Bay have confirmed death of two men who reportedly quarreled over a bottle of beer.

Nkhata Bay Police publicist Sergeant Ignatius Esau identified the deceased as Raban Mkandawire and Wanangwa Kaunda.

According to Esau, Mkandawire had been trying to play “peacemaker” role between Mike Mwalwali, 45, and Wanangwa Kaunda, 37, who had been arguing about a bottle of beer when the former hacked him to death with an axe.

“He [Mkandawire died on the spot due to severe loss of blood,” said Esau.

When people heard of the development, Esau explained, they descended on Mwalwali and Kaunda killing Kaunda in the process.

Mkandawire hailed from Nkhata Bay and Kaunda hailed from Karonga.

Beer drinking is one of the major causes of violence amongst men in Malawi, surveys have shown.

During the last sitting of parliament, lawmakers banned the manufacturing and sale of liquor sachets – which were being sold in hefty amounts, even to minors – but the results are slim considering the fact that alcohol in Malawi is relatively cheaper as compared to other countries in the region such as Botswana.

In Botswana, for example, half a litre of domestic beer costs about K1, 175 while approximately the same costs K400.