Family demands K50m compensation

The family of Edson Msiska, who allegedly died in police custody in Mzuzu in January, is demanding K50 million (about $299 401) compensation from government.

Gift Msiska, brother to the deceased, said on Wednesday that they engaged lawyer Wapona Kita to help them in the matter.

“It is true we wrote the Attorney General demanding K50 million and he responded that he is looking into the issue,” said Kita in an interview.

Police Commissioner for the North Isaac Matinga said they finished investigations into the matter and sent a report to Inspector General of Police Peter Mukhito.

“Investigators from Lilongwe came, they went back and compiled a report which has been forwarded to the IG,” said Matinga.

National Police spokesperson Davie Chingwalu said he could not comment as the matter was not yet concluded.

Police arrested Msiska on January 25 2011 at Mzuzu Bus Depot on suspicion that he was found in possession of goods the police believed were stolen, an accusation the family dismissed.

A post-mortem by histopathologist Dr Charles Dzamalala revealed that Edson died due to ‘hemorrhages consistent with persistent assault delivered over a number of days.’ He had a broken neck, was bleeding in the brain, heart, chest cavity and in the abdomen, according to the report.