At least 16 people are appearing before Thyolo First Grade Magistrate’s Court for breaking, stealing and burning the house of a police officer, Nekha Chisi, at Khonjeni Police Unit in the district.
The 16, five women and 11 men, are alleged to have gone to Khonjeni Police Unit on April 16, 2018 after rumours went round that their relation who was in police custody had died.
Luchenza Police Prosecutor, Constable Steven Chimutu, told the court that the angry mob stormed Khonjeni Police and claimed that Gift Chavi, who was under police custody had died.
“The police showed Chavi to the angry mob. But the villagers resorted to violence when they heard that Chavi would be transferred to Thyolo Police Station,” said Chimutu.
Chimutu further told the court that the angry villagers broke into the house of a police officer, stole different items and then demolished it before setting it on fire.
He explained that the stolen and destroyed property were valued at K7.5 million.
The accused are Dyson Chikopa, 38, Vincent Jonas, 18, Mustard Chikopa, 19, Gift Charles, 16, Gerevazio Kalulu, 12, Mayeso Bonalala, 17, Joyce Mangwiro, 35, Chikumbutso Black, 18 and Patricio Nyirenda, 59.
Others are Lawrence Jonas, 49, Feston Chavi, 32, Agness January, 34, Alinafe Paulo, 17, Agness Siliya, 25, Evelyn Macheso, 36, and Elina Maseya, 18, all from Mpando Village in Traditional Authority Mabuka in Mulanje.
The accused are in police custody and will appear again in court on Friday.
