Bandawe students go on rampage

With just three weeks into second term, students at Bandawe Secondary School in Nkhata Bay on Monday allegedly destroyed school property worth K709 975 (about $4 251).

Northern Region Police spokesperson Norah Chimwala on Tuesday said the riots started during lunch time on Monday.

Chimwala said officials from the school reported to police that there was a misunderstanding between students and management over meals offered at the school.

“There was a misunderstanding between the students and management due to poor diet, which raised the commotion. The management called prefects to discuss the matter, but fellow students stopped them from attending the discussions.

“The students then regrouped in the dining hall and later started damaging school property valued at K709 975. Damaged items include 196 louvre glasses, 256 ordinary glasses, one computer, bulbs, electric sockets  and  fans,” said Chimwala.

Nkhata Bay Police spokesperson Martin Bwanali said 280 students had fled the campus and that only had 80 returned on Tuesday. He added that over 20 students were picked for questioning.

“By the time [Tuesday afternoon] we were leaving the school, officials from education had not been to the scene,” said Bwanali.

The school’s head teacher, Timothy Kumwenda, confirmed that some students returned to the school and they showed up for classes Tuesday afternoon.