Police have said 88 suspects linked to mob violence cases that have killed eight people in Chikwawa and Nsanje districts remain in custody pending court appearances as authorities intensify awareness campaigns in the area.
South East Police Region officials told a team of Cabinet ministers at a Community Policing Open Day in Chikwawa yesterday that the suspects are 73 adult men, nine women and six juveniles.
They said the juveniles are at Bvumbwe Young Offenders Rehabilitation Centre in Thyolo while the others are remanded at Blantyre Prison.
participate in the march. | Macmillan Mhone
The suspects are likely to face charges that include proposing violence, murder, publication of false information likely to cause fear and alarm to the public, and acts intended to cause grievous harm.
Cabinet ministers who attended the event in Chikwawa were Minister of Homeland Security Peter Mukhito, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Ben Phiri, Minister of Information and Communications Technology Shadric Namalomba, and Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare Mary Navicha.
Deputy Minister of Homeland Security Norman Chisale, Inspector General of Police Richard Luhanga, Paramount Chief Lundu and Chikwawa district commissioner Frank Mkandawire also attended the event.
In his remarks, Luhanga said calm has returned to the two districts following the deployment of 300 police officers.
He urged communities to maintain peace and refrain from further acts of violence.
“Officers remain on the ground providing security and we will not tolerate any acts of mob violence,” said Luhanga.
Mukhito stressed that mob justice is unacceptable and warned that government, through security agencies, will track down perpetrators of both misinformation and violent acts.
He said the presence of four Cabinet ministers at the event reflected the need for a multi-sectoral approach in addressing mob justice.
Taking her turn, Navicha said mob violence has a lasting impact on vulnerable groups, including women, persons with disabilities, the elderly and children.
She expressed concern that six children are in custody for allegedly taking part in the violence, while other children have been traumatised after witnessing the attacks.
Before the main event, government officials, police officers, community members and community policing forums marched from Nchalo to Sekeni Ground carrying messages warning against mob violence.
Activities at the open day included traditional dances, comedy performances by Mbuya Antonio and a football match between Nchalo Select and Blue Eagles.
