Malawians feared killed in Moz attacks

Three Malawians from a single family are said to be among those killed since the re-emergency of instability in neighbouring Mozambique.

The instability is due to clashes between the opposition Mozambique National Resistance (Renamo), the former rebels, and government security forces.

The three were killed after Renamo forces attacked a village known as Katandika in Manica Province where the family was working as tenants on a tobacco farm.

Last week, a Malawian journalist working for Radio Mozambique in Maputo was the latest victim of the renewed hostilities after he was attacked by people believed to be members of Renamo forces.

The journalist identified as Bright Sonjela was left severely injured.

Sonjela was attacked as he was trying to follow up on the killing of the three Malawians.

Sonjela in an interview confirmed both his attack and the killings.

However, in an interview on Monday, spokesperson for Malawi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Quent Kalichero said the Malawi Government has not yet received information on any Malawians being victims of the unrest in Mozambique.

“We are closely monitoring the situation and our mission in Mozambique is doing a good job to update us on the situation, but so far, we have not received such reports,” said Kalichero.

The Malawian Embassy in Mozambique could also not immediately comment. But Sonjela said he was attacked on the Mozambique’s N1 Road between Muxungue and Save towns last Wednesday as he was travelling to find out about the death of the Malawians.

“Four people wearing Renamo uniform stopped me when I was going to investigate reports that three Malawians were killed. Now I am in hospital,” he said.

He also identified the Malawians killed as 36-year-old Jackson Mbwana from Dzombe Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Makanjira in Monkey Bay, Mangochi, his wife Jandica Isumaila, 25, and their seven-year- old son Rajabu.

“It is believed that these people were killed on June 25 or thereabouts. I went there on July 7 when I started investigating the matter and on Wednesday, I went there again and it’s when I met my attackers,” said Sonjela.