LL townships celebrate alleged suspect’s death

Residents of Chinsapo and Chigwirizano in Likuni, Lilongwe on Sunday celebrated the death of a suspected criminal commonly known as Baraba.

Thousands came out of their houses carrying tree branches and joined those carrying the suspect’s body on a makeshift stretcher, to a place where they wanted to set it alight, according to witnesses.

Police, said another witness, arrived before the ‘cremation’ mission was accomplished.

A witness told Malawi News Agency (Mana) at the scene that the deceased did not deserve to live.

“He terrorised people here, he had no regard for human life and dignity, and did not even fear the police,” he said.

Another excited witness, who sought annonymity  said no person in his sound mind would shed a tear for Baraba, a biblical times serial criminal Barabas.

“Just yesterday, he beat up a minibus callboy and nearly killed him. He had on many occasions been involved in battles with the police,” said another eyewitness.

The residents claimed that the suspect had fortified his body with magical powers to repel bullets.

Lilongwe Police Station spokesperson Kingsley Dandaula said he was not aware of the incident. n