Football violence claims third victim
Barely two weeks after football violence reared its ugly face and claimed the life of a fan, Geoffrey Mwale, another life has been lost in Mzimba following violence that erupted during a local friendly football match on Saturday.
Northern Region Police spokesperson Maurice Chapola confirmed that David Mhone, 45, died after sustaining serious head injuries when a fracas erupted between Chipolopolo and Masala FC at Muyehele ground.
According to Chapola, Mhone was pronounced dead on arrival at Mzimba District Hospital the following day.
A post-mortem conducted at the hospital revealed that the deceased died of head injuries.
Chapola said the violence erupted following accusations by Masala FC that the referee was favouring Chipolopolo, a situation that did not please the latter.
Meanwhile, police have arrested Alick Lunda, 21, who is alleged to have assaulted the deceased.
“We have arrested Alick Lunda and he has been charged with murder,” said Chapola.
Both the suspect (Lunda) and the deceased hail from Nthapangwa Village in Inkosi Kampingo Sibande in Mzimba District.
The death of Mhone brings the number of football-related violence deaths to three within the past 18 months.
Another fan, Lemiyasi Josita, was killed during the violence that erupted at a Super League match between Mighty Wanderers and Silver Strikers in December 2013, while Mwale was also brutally beaten by alleged soldiers after the match between Surestream FC (now Fisd Wizards) and Red Lions on May 10 this year.
