National News

MHRC investigating police over shooting of 14-year old 

Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has launched investigations into alleged shooting of an unarmed 14-year old student by Chatoloma Police in Kasungu district.

The incident happened at Mbapapi Private Secondary School in the district on the night of November 25 2016.

Kadadzera: We are looking at other issues on the matter before providing a concrete answer to the media

The student, Humphreys Jere Junior, is currently battling for his life at Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) in Lilongwe where he was referred to from Kasungu District Hospital.

A referral letter from Kasungu District Hospital, which The Nation has seen, further states the boy sustained deep wound on the right lumber region with visible bowel and momentum [protective covering connecting stomach and other internal organs of abdomen].

“….sustained small penetrating wound on lumber region with fluid oozing and a very big wound on the right arm with muscles severely damaged,” says the letter.

Humphreys Junior, who is in Form One at the school, told The Nation in an interview from his hospital bed [at KCH] on Monday that on this particular night, the students were protesting against the decision by school management to give them cabbage for supper.

According to the boy, cabbage was not on the menu for that day, but other types of vegetables.

He explained: “We had meat for lunch. But in the evening, they gave us cabbage. This did not please the students, and head boys were sent to seek an explanation from the management on why there was a change.”

The [school] management had reportedly informed the students’ leadership that the change was due to the scarcity and rising cost of vegetables in the area.

The boy said this riled the students who summoned teachers to avail themselves within five minutes to provide a proper and convincing reason.

Humphreys Junior disclosed that after students saw the teachers were not forthcoming, they (students) went on rampage throwing stones in every direction, including at hostels, hall and teachers’ houses.

“It was at this point that the teachers called the police to intervene. They opened fire on us. Some students ran to safety by climbing the fence.

“I was hiding by the corner; and, in minutes another gunshot was heard. I felt something piercing into my stomach. I immediately ran to the police officer who fired the bullet.

“I grabbed his hand to tell him what he had done. He took me to his fellow cops where he confessed to have shot me. He said ndavulaza mwana (I have injured the child), he explained.

Humphreys Junior said at this point, he fell unconscious until his first treatment at Kasungu District Hospital.

MHRC director of Civil and Political Rights, Peter Chisi, said the Commission is collecting “relevant facts” on the matter before embarking on a full investigation next week.

“The victim’s family has already submitted its report. We are eager to start investigating the matter as soon as possible,” he said.

National Police public relations officer James Kadadzera said the law enforcement agency is “looking at other issues on the matter before providing a concrete answer to the media”.

Kadadzera refused to comment on whether their officers had used live bullets against the unarmed students

“In the next three days, we should be able to issue a statement informing the public what exactly happened for this unfortunate incident to happen,” he said.

Related Articles

Back to top button