Beer hall brawl kills one in Nkhata Bay

Police in Nkhata Bay have arrested a 21-year-old man for allegedly killing his friend after the two fought at a drinking joint.

Nkhata Bay Police spokesperson Ignatius Esau on Wednesday identified the suspect as Iddie Nyirenda of Chapumbwa Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Mkumbira in Nkhata Bay District.

On the other hand, police said the deceased has been identified as Mwayi Mkupu, 21, from Makalani Village, T/A Mpama in Chiradzulu District.

Esau said both Nyirenda and Mkupu sustained injuries during the fight and were rushed to the hospital.

He said Nyirenda was taken to Nkhata Bay District Hospital while Mkupu was referred to Mzuzu Central Hospital where he died.

Said Esau:“Nyirenda responded well to treatment and was discharged from Nkhata Bay District Hospital, but has been arrested following the death of Mkupu.

“The suspect and the deceased were at a beer joint at Nkhata Bay Boma boozing. As the two were drinking beers, they quarrelled and later a fight broke out.”

He said postmortem results showed that death was due to severe head injuries sustained from being hit with a blunt object.