Deputy Inspector General of Police Noel Kayira and rescued British national Nusrat Osman remain hospitalised, but improving at Mwaiwathu Private Hospital in Blantyre after sustaining injuries during a shootout last Thursday evening.
Kayira was shot in the stomach during a police operation at Mingale in Mpemba, Blantyre while rescuing Osman who was kidnapped a week earlier in Mount Pleasant in the city.
Yesterday, The Nation learnt from Kayira’s family that he was now out of the intensive care unit and is recuperating in the general ward.
“We are seeing a great improvement,” a family member said.
On the other hand, National Police spokesperson Gladys Chiwaula declined to comment on Kayira’s condition, citing privacy.
The Nation also established that Osman remains admitted to the same facility for treatment and assessments following her rescue.
Police said eight suspects were involved in Osman’s abduction, with six at large and two dead.
During a media briefing on Saturday, Inspector General of Police Richard Luhanga said investigations were continuing and that two suspects, whom police described as the masterminds, were shot dead during the operation.
The two were identified as Marcolino Munguambe, 43, a Mozambican from Muhalaze, Matola and Limbani Anthony, 44, from Nyambi, Traditional Authority Mkumba in Mangochi.
Meanwhile, Anthony’s body was collected from Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital mortuary on Sunday while Munguambe’s body was still at the mortuary when The Nation visited yesterday morning.
In a related development, residents of Chadzunda on the outskirts of Blantyre City said they are living in fear because they do not know the whereabouts of the six suspects at large.
“We don’t know where those others are. What if they are still around?” asked Emmanuel Yoka.
At the compound where the police operation took place, the one-room structure remained intact.
Fanny Katchika, whose house is next to the compound, said she had interacted with some of the suspects and never imagined they could be involved in criminal activity.
Since the operation, the compound has also attracted people who want to see where Osman was rescued, with police vehicles among those seen in the area.
Village head Luwayo said police should maintain a presence in the area to reassure residents and provide security.
Police were non-committal about the security concerns as they did not respond to our questionnaire.
