Police probing systematic attacks in Lilongwe

Police in Lilongwe are investigating attacks on some of the city’s prominent residents, especially lawyers and senior civil servants.

The attacks have been similar to that on the Area 9 home of Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Atupele Muluzi in November last year when he was serving as minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining.

uThe latest victim is private practice lawyer Oswald Mtupila, representing Cashgate suspect Oswald Lutepo. His Area 49 Baghdad residence was attacked by about 20 armed men over the weekend, leaving him injured on his hand and back.

Since February, the homes   of Principal Secretary (Adminstration)  in the Ministry of Finance Patrick Matanda, former minister of Industry and Trade Ted Kalebe, Airtel corporate secretary  Hlupekile Phiri, lawyers  Gilbert Khonyongwa, and Davie Lameck, among others, have been targeted.

Police have only managed to make arrests in two robberies, at Rodrick Langwe’s home in Area 25, where they shot one suspect, and at Levi Chirwa’s residence in Area 18 where a senior government official was attacked.

While most of the victims preferred not to disclose their ordeals to The Nation, Central Region Police spokesperson Ramsy Mushani confirmed that the robberies were reported to police at Kanengo and Lingadzi stations and patrols have been intensified in the areas.

Mushani confirmed that police in Kanengo and Lilongwe have made some arrests and were pursuing any links between the attacks.