Govt demands report from MOZ on shooting incident
Malawi Government has written Mozambique demanding action and investigation into what led to the attack and shooting of Malawians in that country.
On April 23 2016, unidentified gunmen in the district of Catandica in Mozambique ambushed a vehicle 24 Malawians were travelling in on their way to South Africa.
The attack left four people dead and three others critically wounded.
They were hospitalised at a government hospital in Chimoio, Mozambique.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Francis Kasaila said in an interview on Thursday that government has “requested Mozambique to investigate and provide an official report on the incident that led to the death of four innocent Malawians”.
“Currently, 17 survivors of the shooting incident returned home on April 30 2016 through the Mwanza Border. Arrangements are underway to repatriate the three that were injured and hospitalised.”
Kasaila said government was also working on repatriating bodies of the deceased for burial at their respective homes.
“We’re working closely with the bereaved families. Of course, government is expected to meet costs for the repatriation of both the dead and the survivors because it is highly unlikely that the bereaved families may have money to cater for this,” he narrated.
Kasaila cautioned Malawians travelling to South Africa to avoid using the Tete Province route, saying it is highly insecure following the renewed fighting between the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) and Mozambique National Resistance (Renamo).
The conflict has seen thousands fleeing into Malawi to seek refuge fearing violence and harassment from government soldiers.
