By Chisomo Phiri
Malawi Police in Chikwawa are keeping in custody two men on suspicion that they were on Tuesday involved in the setting ablaze of Chapananga Police Unit and stealing various items there.
Chikwawa Police Station spokesperson, Dickson Matemba said the two are Fredrick Chiphaka, 28, from Liyada Village in the area of Traditional Authority(TA) Mpando in Ntcheu and Evance Malefula, 27, from Chaphinja Village in the area of Senior Chief Chapananga in Chikwawa District.
Matemba said the two were allegedly spotted during a fracas that erupted when people around Chapananga Trade Centre invaded the police formation and demanded the release of a suspect arrested for the murder of Chimwemwe Hamilton ,18, from Garonga Village in the area, for them to deal with him.
He said the angry mob resorted to violence after they learnt that the suspect had already been transferred to Chikwawa Police Station. In the process, the mob torched the police unit and blocked the road leading to the facility with stones and trees.
However, officers from Chikwawa Police Station and Mitole Police Mobile Service managed to get to the place and calmed the situation.
According to the police publicist, investigations are underway to arrest more culprits related to the matter. He went on to say value of the damaged property is yet to be established.
Chiphaka and Malefula are expected to answer charges of arson, theft and malicious damage after the completion of investigations.
