Villagers attack Mangochi Police station in a push to release suspects

Mangochi police station was under siege Tuesday evening when angry villagers stormed the station demanding the release of fellow villagers arrested for slashing maize fields of their rivals in the ongoing chieftaincy wangle between Chikwenga and Mpumbe families.

In the wrangle which has dragged for years, Chikwenga families have been claiming that Mpumbe’s are not the rightful people for the chieftaincy but themselves.

Villagers told Nyasa Times that the disagreement between the two families reached the crescendo on Sunday when members of Chikwenga family slashed maize field of Mpumbe family as sign of anger while the Mpumbe’s did the same in retaliation.

But this did not please the police who arrested some of those involved in the mischief.

“Angered with the arrested villagers mostly from Chikwenga family stormed the police station around 7 pm pelting stones at the police while demanding the release of the suspects. They were accusing the Mpumbe family of giving the District Commissioner Bester Mandele K100, 000 (who they have long accused of favoring the Mpumbes) to orchestrate the arrest on members of their family”.

Two police officers were seriously been injured in the fracas which erupted when the police wanted to keep the rioters away from the premises.

“Assistant Superintended Chakwera was heavily hit with a stone and was breading heavily from the head. Another police officer Sergeant Khulumula fainted after been hit with a huge stone. I fact the Police in charge advised the police against the use teargas or even rubber bullets to disperse them,” said a police source.

The mob run away after they noticed that they have injured police officers.

Mangochi Police spokesperson Rodrick Maida confirmed to Nyasa Times Tuesday night that the injured officers were immediately rushed to the hospital where they were treated as out as patients “and are feeling well”.

“We have so far arrested seven people from both families and will appear in court tomorrow [Wednesday] to answer various charges including that of malicious damage,” said Maida.

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