Fracas erupts at Karonga Magistrate’s Court

Community members and police clashed at Karonga Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday evening when the court adjourned the case of Fishani Mtambo and Wamisi Kaunda who are suspected to have abducted and stabbed an 11-year- old child with albinism.

Mtambo and Kaunda were arrested by police in Karonga last week after they went to Mwambuli Village in Traditional Authority (T/A) Kyungu and abducted an 11-year-old boy and took him to nearby bush where they started stabbing him.

State prosecutor Peter Pilingu asked first grade magistrate Chakaka Nyirenda to suspend the case to September 17 following the request from head of State prosecution Happy Mkandawire that Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Mary Kachali wanted to give further direction on the case.

Pilingu said the State wants to have the case transferred to the High Court since it is murder related, and is of public interest.

However, this did not please those listening to the case, who wondered why the DPP did not communicate earlier, adding that they wanted justice to prevail on the first day of hearing.

The community suspected the State is being soft on the suspects , and they blocked the police vehicle from leaving the court.

Police officers had to fire tear gas to contain the crowd.

Karonga Police Station spokesperson Enock Livason said the police used tear gas to maintain law and order.