Two learners from Muloza primary school are battling for their lives at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) after being shot by law enforcers in Mulanje.

Village headman Lupiya confirmed of the development in an interview with the press saying the incident followed running battles between some citizens of Lupiya village and armed forestry guards and Malawi Defence Force soldiers on the foot of Mulanje Mountain.

“The armed officers were all over in my village, Namwera and Matimati villages confiscating timbers and some people started stoning them and in retaliation, the officers fired live bullets and accidentally, two bullets landed on the two innocent boys,” said VH Lupiya.

According to Village Lupia, the boys met their fate as they were coming from home to collect face masks.

The victims have been identified as Aaron Ramus, 11 and Vincent Chiphazi, 16.

The learners are currently admitted at QECH in Blantyre.