DPP might step in BLK violence case
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Bruno Kalemba has warned that he might prosecute those behind Lemiyasi Josita’s death on December 28 2013 following an aborted TNM Super League decider between Silver Strikers and Mighty Wanderers at Balaka Stadium.
In an exclusive interview yesterday, Kalemba said the death of the reported Wanderers fan rendered the incident unusual for a football match hence his office is interested in prosecuting those responsible once the police conclude investigations.
“Every case which is not natural is investigated and if there are criminal elements, my desk prosecutes. A fan died in Balaka and if we find criminal elements, I will be forced to prosecute once the police name those responsible. We take interest in every death,” he explained, adding that police is yet to report to his office.
Asked how the police would handle the matter when they were among the stakeholders sharing the blame game over security lapses at the stadium, Kalemba said: “Have you not seen the police investigating one of their own?”
Wanderers general secretary David Kanyenda yesterday said he was unaware of the police investigations whereas his Silver counterpart Mike Tembo said was not ready to comment.
National Police headquarters publicist Rhoda Manjolo asked for a questionnaire.
Soon after the incident, Balaka Police, who wanted 40 officers deployed at the stadium, but Sulom insisted on just 20, arrested alleged Silver fans Austin Phiri and Bruno Makina, as being ring-leaders behind the chaos that also left some 16 fans from either side injured.
Silver and Wanderers have since appealed to FAM against Sulom Appeals Committee fining them K5.2 million (US$12 440) and K700 000 (US$1 674) an addition to forfeiture of six and four competitive games respectively; a reversal of previous eight and five months bans from football.
The fresh verdict absolved players from either side of blame but fingered, without elaborating, further accused Wanderers’ officials Hubert Mfune and Richard Kambalame of compromising security.
The appeals committee meeting, which Sulom legal adviser Felix Tambulasi chaired over two days from January 19 2014, ordered the replay of the game by tomorrow at an empty Zomba Community Centre ground, but this seems unlikely in view of the appeal to FAM.
Silver led 1-0 before the Balaka match was postponed in the 61st minute, hence need just a point to retain the league title for three consecutive seasons.
The Bankers have 50 points just like Moyale Barracks who wound up their campaign.
