Girl 6 electrocuted in Salima

A six year-old standard one learner at Kambwiri Primary School has died after being electrocuted in Salima  district.

The deceased has been identified as Sarah Gift, from Malapa Village in Traditional Authority Kambwiri in the district.

According to Salima Police Public Relations Officer Jacob Khembo, in the morning of January 17, 2023 while at school,  the girl went outside the classroom to drink water at the nearby borehole.

"In the process, she mistakenly touched an earth wire which is connected to a faulty electric pole and she fell down, unconscious," he said.

She was rushed to Salima District Hospital where she was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Postmortem conducted at the same hospital revealed that the minor died due to electric shock.

Teen brothers arrested for murder

A 19-year-old student, Bless Nyirenda died on Friday at Mzuzu Central Hospital due to head injuries after being assaulted by two teenage brothers.

According to Mzimba Police Spokesperson, Sub Inspector Peter Botha, Nyirenda who was in Form 3 at Kamilaza Community Day Secondary School in Mzimba and the duo brothers picked up a quarrel at Kamilaza Trading Center where they were drinking beer on Wednesday.

“The quarrel ended up into a fight between Nyirenda and the two brothers. They overpowered Nyirenda as they heavily assaulted him using blunt objects in the head,” said Botha.

He said that well-wishers rescued Nyirenda, who later went to the Police before going to Mzimba District Hospital where he was treated as an outpatient.

"On Thursday, the condition got worse and was taken back to Mzimba District Hospital but was referred to Mzuzu Central Hospital where he died while receiving treatment on Friday," he said.

The two brothers have since been arrested and will appear before court soon to answer murder charges, which is contrary to section 209 of the penal code.

In a related development, Mzimba Police is on a man hunt for suspected assailants who murdered an elderly man, Jobin Munthali on Thursday at Euthini in Mzimba District.

Botha said that Munthali was found lying lifeless in a field by a woman who went to work in the field and reported the matter to Police.

Botha indicated that medical reports reveal that both Munthali and Nyirenda died due to head injuries secondary to assault.

Nyirenda hailed from Daudi Ziyanyumbo Village in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) M'mbelwa while Munthali was from Zoto Village under TA Chindi both in Mzimba District.

Ugandan arrested in Mangochi for possessing 3 fire arms

Ngapani Police Unit in Mangochi has arrested a 23-year-old Ugandan, Mwenyi Abdallah for allegedly being found in possession of a revolver and two pistols with no authentic documents at Kwisimba Village in Traditional Authority Katuli.

Mangochi Police Station Public Relations Officer, Sub Inspector Amina Tepani Daudi confirmed the arrest, saying Sable Farming Company workers at Ngapani tipped the police that Abdallah who only communicated in English was spotted loitering around the estate and raised suspicions.

Daudi added that police officers from Ngapani rushed to arrest the Ugandan who was on his way to the estate's workshop while carrying a bag around his waist and he told the police (upon questioning) that he was a tailor who had just arrived in the area and was intending to open a tailoring school at Kwisimba Trading Centre.

She said this prompted the police to search his house on December 6 where the officers found two sewing machines and two bags. 

Daudi said as one of the police officers was about to search the bags, Abdallah produced a revolver ready to shoot but was swiftly overpowered and disarmed.

"Searching his house, the police found two pistols, 54 live ammunitions for the pistols, nine live ammunitions for the revolver and Ugandan passport," she added.

Daudi said the police are currently carrying out investigations to establish his motives for loitering around the estate and for choosing to settle along the Malawi - Mozambique Border at Katuli area.

Social media fuelling suicide in Malawi

Mental health expert, Donald Salamba, has attributed the rising cases of suicide to social media's sensationalisation of the issue.

According to Salamba, some media platforms are handling the issue childishly and are taking pleasure in the misconduct.

"Imagine, reporting how someone committed suicide. That is not acceptable. We don't need to sensationalise the issue," he said.

Salamba, a mental health consultant counsellor, urged social media administrators to stop reporting on the issue if curtailing the pandemic is to be achieved.

"The human nature is very complex. Others would commit suicide because they heard that someone had committed suicide to escape a minor problem than their's," he added.

Statistics from the Malawi police show that over 200 people have committed suicide this year alone.

Teacher hangs himself

A 34-year-old teacher has committed suicide by hanging in a tree on Sunday at Chazanga village, Traditional Authority Nyoka in Mchinji.

Mchinji Police Station Officer, Charles Mpezeni has identified the deceased as Dennis Banda who was working as a teacher at Kangwere F.P School.

Mpezeni said the deceased had marital problems with his wife as such he decided to leave the house and stay on his own.

“Later on 05th November the deceased found a house which he was expected to move in on Sunday 06th November but in the morning of the same day he was found hanging in a tree with a cloth and his bicycle was left nearby the tree where he hanged himself” said Mpezeni.

The matter was reported to police where scene of crime was visited but the body had already been removed from the tree and upon a thorough search a suicide note was found in the deceased pocket with a message that he had committed suicide due to marital problems..

Mpezeni said the deceased hailed from Chazanga village, Traditional Authority Nyoka in Mchinji district.

RIP Detective Buba!

A dark cloud has engulfed Area 30 in Lilongwe, sending Constables, Corporals, Inspectors in a sombre mood following the sudden death of Detective Buba, a police dog who nailed one of the most sosphicated Chinese nertworks of Lin Huang that was responsible for plundering Malawi of it's precious wildlife.

Detective Buba, the holder of a diploma in detective work nailed the Chinese syndicates after he sniffed articles of ivory at the house of Lin Huang. This was after human detectives had miserably failed to detect the ivory. The brilliant dog uncovered scores and scores of ivory products and sent the Chinese into the hands of the Security agents!

The handler of detective Buba testified during the trial how Buba discovered the ivory articles. He sent the court into laughter when he revealed that detective Buba was going to pursue a degree in detective work after the arrest. The whole Court room went into laughter almost clapping hands for detective Buba.

Detective Buba has died at the youthful age of 6 years. He helped to bring down one of the most feared syndicates that had been plundering Malawi of wildlife products. The King pin Lin Huang is currently serving a 7 year jail sentence at Mzuzu Prison. She was brought down by a well coordinated string that included Financial intelligence Authority, Police and MRA.

It is not clear if President Chakwera is going to give a medal of honor to Detective Buba for his role in the arrest and dismantling of the Lin Huang nertworks. According to sources, Detective Buba died after a short illness.

Rest in peace the good detective!!!!

Woman fined for illegal possession of Indian hemp

The Mwanza Senior Resident Magistrate's Court has convicted and sentenced Jacqueline Mofolo, 38, to pay K100,000.00 fine in default to spend two months in jail for possessing Indian hemp without a licence.

The court heard through state prosecutor, Sub Inspector Kenneth Chatsalira that Mofolo was arrested on October 2, 2022 at Mwanza Border Post after she was found with six kilogrammes of the illicit drug.

Chatsalira said Mofolo appeared in court on October 6 and pleaded guilty and admitted to the charge of possession of chamba without license.A

In mitigation, Mofolo asked for court's leniency, claiming that she has children to take care of. In his submission, Chatsalira asked the court to give the convict a stiffer punishment as a deterrent to others.

Passing sentence, Senior Resident Magistrate Sajda Maiden concurred with the state; hence, sentenced Mofolo to pay K100,000.00 in default to serve two months imprisonment with hard labour.

Mofolo has since paid the fine.

Mofolo comes from Mtila Village in the area of Traditional Authority Sitola in Machinga.

Court convicts pastor of rape

The Mangochi Senior Resident Magistrate Court on Friday convicted Pastor for Kapiri Living Waters Church in Mangochi, Edward Sankera, of raping an18 year old girl without her consent and thereafter revoked the bail the convict was granted.

Senior Resident Magistrate Rodrick Michongwe said the victim disclosed in the court during previous hearing that Sankera had sex with her four separate times last year as this was contrary to Section 133 of the Penal Code.

“Between March and April 2021, Sankera had sex with the victim at Kapile Village in Mangochi without her consent while his wife was attending overnight prayers and he threatened her never to reveal to anyone,” he said.

Michongwe said in the court that Prophet Gonda, a member of the Kapiri Living Waters Church also testified in court.

"Prophet Gonda said he approached the victim after noting that she looked unhappy and was not actively participating in the Church's praise team at the Kapiri Living Waters Church and this prompted the victim to disclose to him that Sankera had been having sex with her,” the Magistrate said, adding that it was Gonda that advised the victim to report the issue to the Church leadership.

According to Michongwe, the church later informed the victim's parents about the issue despite the other church members’ insistence that the issue be handled by the church.

The young woman was living with Sankera's family from February 2021 and returned to her parents August, 2021 when the rape issue was brought to light.

Sankera was later arrested by Mangochi Police and granted him court bail after denying the rape allegations.

However, Michongwe said that the state had proven beyond reasonable doubt that the accused had a case to answer.

He convicted Sankera of the rape charge and revoked the bail.

The State and Counsel for the accused are expected to make their submissions on the accused sentence within 10 days. 

The rape case will return to court on August 31, 2022 for the court's ruling.

Sankera comes from Manyowe area, in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Kuntaja in Blantyre. 

Japanese, Malawian Drown in Lake Chilwa

A 60-year-old Japanese national, Ichiro Imai and a Malawian John Juwawo, have on August 19, 2022 drowned in the waters of Lake Chilwa in Zomba.

According to Zomba Police Station Public Relations Officer (PRO), Patricia Sipiliano, it was reported that the late Japanese national was a fisheries sociologist and has been coming to Malawi periodically for studies where as Juwawo was a fisheries officer.

The two, on August 16, in company of other people went to Chinguma and Ngotangota fishing docks for their studies using a fisheries boat.

After their studies on August 19, the team opted to return where they encountered heavy winds that capsized their boat.

Efforts to rescue the team were done but the Japanese national was found dead while Juwawo is still missing. 

Meanwhile, the Marine Police officers and officers from fisheries have jointly instituted investigations on the missing individual. 

The body of Imai is currently at Zomba Central Hospital Mortuary.

MANGOCHI HERBALIST JAILED 10 YEARS FOR RAPING PATIENT

The Mangochi Senior Resident Magistrates Court on Tuesday sentenced Chiko Vasco, 70, to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour (IHL) for raping and impregnating a 30-year-old woman who came to seek medical attention.

Mangochi Police Station, Prosecutor Sub-Inspector, Maggie Chibulire told the court that in October 2021, the victim developed mental disorder after she had miscarried and was taken to him as a well-known traditional healer in Mangochi.

She told the court that the woman was treated for four months and that by April 2022, the woman was showing signs of recovery.

The convict informed her parents of their K80,000 bill.

But parents negotiated to pay the amount in installments, which angered Vasco who moved the victim to another location and declared her as his second wife.

“On July 13, 2022 the parents sourced the whole amount and went to take their daughter only to discover that she was pregnant and the victim revealed that he had been raping her and was responsible for the pregnancy,” Chibulire added.

Vasco pleaded guilty and admitted to the charge which prompted the state to convict him on his own plea of guilty.

Chibulire asked the court to give Vasco a stiffer punishment saying what he did was immoral and criminal and has dented the image of traditional healers.

In mitigation, Vasco pleaded with the court for leniency on account that he looks after his family and if given a stiffer penalty his family would suffer.

Senior Resident Magistrate, Rodrick Michongwe said Vasco took advantage of the victim’s vulnerability as such he must be given a stiffer punishment to serve as a lesson to other would-be offenders.

Michongwe sentenced Vasco who hails from Kadango Village in Traditional Authority (TA) Namabvi in the district to 10 years IHL.

Source: Mana

Woman Arrested for Killing daughter in Blantyre

Twenty four-year-old Mercy Banda has been arrested by police in Blantyre for allegedly killing her 7-year-old daughter, Dingile Banda.

It is reported that the suspect committed the offence on Saturday at Chilobwe Township in the city.

“The deceased developed skin cancer and the suspect went to a nearby pharmacy to buy medicine for her. On her return, it is alleged that she noticed unusual signs on the child who had her eyes protruding and swollen mouth,” says Blantyre Police Deputy Public Relations Officer, Aubrey Singanyama who adds that this angered the suspect, who slapped the deceased.

Singanyama says, upon being slapped, late Dingile fellow to the ground and became unconscious after having her neck also twisted by her mother.

“The suspect’s mother took the deceased to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital where she was pronounced dead upon arrival,” said the deputy PRO for Blantyre.

Police have since said the suspect will answer murder charges in court soon.

Mercy Banda hails from Khonyoni village in the area of Traditional Authority Kaphiri in Lilongwe.

Police nets 58 over various offences

Police in Limbe on 14 June 2022, placed in custody 58 suspected lawbreakers.

The suspects (identities withheld) were apprehended in a sweeping exercise conducted within Limbe policing area.

Public Relations Officer for Limbe Police Station, Inspector Patrick Mussa confirmed of the arrest.

“The suspects have been charged with offenses of found in possession of Cannabis sativa without permission, operating a bar without a license, and idle and disorderly.

“They will appear in court soon to answer charges leveled against them,” Mussa said.

Mussa further said the exercise is ongoing, aiming at suppressing criminal activities within Limbe policing area

Ex-convict arrested soon after release

Police in Mangochi have arrested ex-convict, Abdul Imani, 38, for defiling a 12-year-old girl barely a day after his release from a seven-year imprisonment for robbery, Malawi News Agency has learnt.

Mangochi Police Public Relations Officer, Sub Inspector Amina Tepani Daudi, confirmed the arrest of Imani, saying the ex-convict was released on June 9, 2022, but was later found on the wrong side of the law when he allegedly defiled the girl at Mpima Forest along the Peter Mutharika Highway in Mangochi on June 10.

The Mangochi Police publicist added that the girl was defiled on her way to a market to sell pumpkins when Imani stopped her in the guise of a customer and convinced the girl to follow him to his house, saying he would buy all the pumpkins.

“While passing through Mpima Forest, the suspect dragged the girl into the forest and defiled her despite screaming for help,” Daudi added.

She said passersby found the girl crying and reported the matter to Mangochi Police where the victim was issued with a referral letter to Mangochi District Hospital for medical examination that proved positive.

Sub Inspector Daudi added that police investigation was carried out and later the law enforcers arrested Imani who was identified by the victim.

Imani, who comes from Kalonga Village in Traditional Authority Mponda in Mangochi, has been charged with defilement contrary to Section 138 of the Penal Code and will appear before court soon.

Man electrocuted in BT

As vandalism cases of Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) properties are on the rise, a man in Blantyre (unidentified) has been electrocuted while trying to vandalize an ESCOM transformer.

According to Public Relations Officer for Limbe Police, Inspector Patrick Mussa, the initial findings revealed that the unknown man together with other accomplices went to vandalize the ESCOM transformer in Machinjiri Township, area 9, in the city.  

“It is alleged that while tampering with the same, he got electrocuted but his friends escaped.

“Police detectives visited the scene and found him in possession of spanners and screwdrivers,” Mussa said.

The man was later taken to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) where he was pronounced dead.

According to Mussa, the dead body is still at the hospital's mortuary pending identification and postmortem.

Police have since warned perpetrators against the vandalism of ESCOM transformers, as they will be tracked down and brought to book.

Chichiri prison escapee arrested

Police in Chikwawa are keeping in custody 25-year-old Charles Charlie who allegedly escaped from Chichiri prison.  

According to Police, he bolted from said facility in January this year, while serving a jail term for robbery.  

Charlie was arrested in the early hours of Sunday, June 5 2022 by Nkumaniza Police at his hiding place in Dzenje village near the Mozambique border.

Charlie, who in an interrogation, admitted the offense, will be taken to court for escaping from lawful custody.

Meanwhile, the Police have stated that communications with Chichiri prison have been made for identification.

Charlie hails from Kambelengende village, Traditional Authority Tengani in Nsanje.  

Ntchisi murder suspect dies in hospital

A man who was arrested in the wee hours of Tuesday morning for allegedly murdering his brother and wounding his parents has died while receiving treatment at Ntchisi District Hospital, a few hours after his arrest.

Ntchisi Police Spokesperson, Yohane Tasowana who identified the suspect as Edward Chatambalala, 41 said he was arrested for allegedly murdering his younger brother, Jericho Chatambalala, 24 at Chimtsekwa Village in Traditional Authority (TA) Chilooko’s area in the district.

“It is alleged that while on full intoxication of alcohol, Edward stabbed his young brother for no apparent reasons and after killing his younger brother, he stabbed both his parents,” he  said.

According to the Police Publicist, the suspect who was arrested around 2 am on Tuesday only spent about thirty minutes in Police cell before he was taken to Ntchisi District Hospital where he died a few hours later while receiving treatment.

“At the time of his arrest, his head was swollen and he had a wound,” Tasowana said.

He said Postmortem results indicate that the death was due to internal bleeding.

Man arrested for illegal mining

Police in Mulanje have arrested a 51-year-old man identified as Chisasa Tungamire for allegedly doing illegal mining in Mulanje.

Spokesperson for Mulanje Police, Sub-inspector Gresham Ngwira has confirmed the arrest saying a forest ranger found Tungamire with a bag of minerals. 

Ngwira further said the minerals which are believed to be Quartz are suspected to have been extracted from the mountain.

Meanwhile, the minerals are expected to be taken to the Geological Survey Department for examination.

19 students arrested at Mayani Seconday School

Police in Dedza are keeping in custody 19 students from Mayani Secondary school suspected to have  damaged school property.

Public Relations Officer for Dedza Police, sub-inspector Edward Kabango confirmed the arrest, saying the students have damaged 245 window panes and 60 chairs at the school.

Kabango added that 135 window panes at the Mayani Police unit have also been damaged by students.

The student’s protests started on Sunday night following the arrest of a 19-year-old Form III student at the school who was accused of raping a classmate aged 16. 

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19 year old student arrested for raping classmate 

“The students wanted to force the school authorities to initiate the release of their fellow student who was arrested for rape,” Kabango said.

 The school has since been closed until further notice following the violence.   

Chikwawa road accident kills 3

Three people have died in a road accident in Chikwawa following a carnage involving a minibus and a motorcycle.

Chikwawa Police Station Public Relations Officer, Sergeant Dickson Matemba said the three include the minibus driver identified as Mavuto Justin, 32 and motorcycle riders identified as Isaac Chimunthu Banda, aged 45 and Memory Kabango Chimunthu Banda who were husband and wife.

Matemba in an interview on Tuesday said the minibus registration number BX 8070 was coming from Nchalo heading towards Ngabu with ten passengers on board.

“The accident happened at around 7 pm on Monday at Kulima Village near Crown Plantations in Ngabu along the Blantyre-Chikwawa M1 Road.

“What happened is that, upon reaching Kulima Village, the minibus driver was overtaking a motor vehicle when it collided head-on with a Yamaha AG 200 registration number CK 1388 which was coming from the opposite direction,” he said.

Matemba said that upon the crash, motorbike riders sustained head injuries and were later pronounced dead upon reaching Ngabu Rural Hospital. 

Whereas the driver sustained jaw injury and later died while receiving treatment at Chikwawa District Hospital, according to Matemba.

He said the other ten passengers escaped with minor injuries.

Justin hailed from Ngalu Village in the area of Traditional Authority Ngabu in Chikwawa while the couple hailed from Nkhotakota District.

Man commits suicide over family issues

A 39-year-old man, Gibson Phiri of Mputa Village in the of Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe in Rumphi Tuesday committed suicide by hanging himself on allegations that his wife accused him of spending money on beer instead of supporting his family.

According to Rumphi Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), Sergeant Tupeliwe Kabwilo, the deceased
and his wife had been quarrelling over the issue for some time.

She said due to continuous misunderstandings between the two, the wife decided to leave the family and went to stay with her close by brother.

“Upon realising that the wife had escaped and left for her brother’s home, Phiri decided to commit suicide by hanging himself,” Kabwilo.

She said before hanging himself, Phiri left a note in his pocket stating that he killed himself over family matters.

Postmortem conducted at Rumphi District Hospital revealed that Phiri died due to suffocation. Police in Rumphi are advising people to refrain from terminating their lives whenever they face challenges but should seek guidance and counselling relatives, religious leaders and victim support units.
Phiri hailed from Wimbe Village in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Wimbe in Kasungu.