Lule didn’t mastermind boy with albinism’s abduction—MHRC
The family members of late Buleya Lule who died in police custody, were in tears as the Malawi Human Rights Commission’s (MHRC) Rosemary Kanyuka broke the news to them that Lule, according to the MHRC report, was not the masterminder of the abduction of the 14-year-old boy with albinism.
“Ndizimene timafuna kumva zimenezo, munapha munthu osalakwa,” his sister Charity Lule said.
MHRC has release this afternoon released an investigation report into the death of suspect Lule. The report also confirms that Lule died in police custody.
An autopsy report released last month by Pathologist Dr. Charles Dzamalala revealed that Lule’s death was due to electrocution and blunt force trauma to the head.
According to the report the possible timelines of his death shows the incident must have happened from the time Lule left the court on 20th February to the time he was taken to Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) after he passed out.
Legal findings of the MHRC investigation say that police violated Lule’s right to life when they tortured him.
The report recommends that the Inspector General of Police should institute criminal investigations into all Police officers who handled Lule between the 19th and 20 February.
The report has named eight police officers who handled Lule who include Assistant Commissioner of Police Evalista Chisale who was among those who interrogated the victim at Police Headquarters on 19th February 2019.
The report also recommends that the Director of Public Prosecutions should start criminal proceedings against all the police officers mentioned in the report who had direct contact with Lule.
Human Rights Defenders Coalition chairperson Timothy Mtambo has demanded that MHRC names the four police officers who picked Lule from the court to Lilongwe Police Station.
The report indicates that Police officers interviewed did not know the names of the four police officers.
MHRC commissioner Martha Chizuma promised to follow up with the Inspector General when action will be taken. MRHC will follow up by August 31.
