2 more arrested in Chasowa case

The hunt for killers of University of Malawi’s Polytechnic student, Robert Chasowa, continued on Thursday with police arresting two more suspects.

Southern Region Police Headquarters spokesperson Nicholas Gondwa confirmed the arrests of Frank Julius and Isaac Osman for the murder of Chasowa who was found dead on campus in September 2011.

He said so far, 10 people have been arrested in connection with the murder. These include Geoff Botomani and Petros Phiri, arrested a few months ago prior to the findings of the Chasowa Commission of Inquiry appointed by President Joyce Banda.

On Wednesday, police arrested Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Southern Region governor Noel Masangwi and five others—DPP Southern Region youth director Lewis Ngalande, police officer Stanford Horea, businessperson and boxing promoter Mike Chitenje, Stone Mwamande and Sam Chulu.

Lawyer representing Masangwi and three others, Kalekeni Kaphale, said on Thursday the High Court will hear the bail application for the suspects on Monday. Kaphale said his clients were formally charged with murder on Thursday.

In a related development, scores of DPP supporters on Thursday kept vigil at Chilomoni Police Station in Blantyre where they chanted songs, urging authorities to free Masangwi. One of the songs went: “Ambuye timenyereni nkhondo [Lord fight our war].”

In an interview at the station, Masangwi’s deputy, Ngozi Harawa, who is also regional treasurer, described Masangwi’s arrest as political.