Villagers from Saidi Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Nkalo in Chiradzulu District on Tuesday afternoon invaded Mikolongwe College of Veterinary Science where they destroyed property, infrastructure and beat up the college principal and two guards.
Limbe Police spokesperson Chifundo Chibwezo confirmed the development, but asked for more time, saying investigations to establish the cause of the fracas are still underway.
But sources told The Nation on Wednesday that the fracas happened on Tuesday afternoon after a 22-year-old man was found dead at the college’s dam.
A source who sought anonymity said locals from the deceased’s village claimed that the institution’s guards killed the man as he was collecting firewood around the campus.
“The dead body was discovered floating in the dam by the deceased’s father who then went to the college to report the matter. But word went out that the deceased was killed by the institution’s security personnel and angry villagers converged on the campus where they assaulted two guards and the principal.
“The principal and the guards were rescued by police, but the community demanded that college authorities provide transport, food and a coffin,” said the source.
College principal Felix Makondi,who was receiving treatment in Blantyre, refused to comment, saying his boss at the ministry was the right person to do so.
Director for the Department of Animal Health and Livestock in the Ministry of Agriculture, Bernard Chimera did not pick his mobile phone when called.
