The Malawi Police Service (MPS) says it has started investigating death threats businessperson Leston Mulli allegedly made to human rights activist Charles Kajoloweka for trying to foil Mulli’s K8 billion legal claim.
MPS national spokesperson James Kadadzera confirmed to The Nation in Lilongwe yesterday that Kajoloweka, a member of the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC), reported the matter to Mzuzu Police Station, where statements were recorded for further action.
He said: “I have checked with Mzuzu and I found that Kajoloweka lodged a complaint about death threats. I can confirm that since we have received the complaint, investigations are underway.”
Kajoloweka said he reported the matter to police soon after Mulli called him after 8:30am on Saturday, using a South African number.
He said Mulli expressed fury over the news briefing the youthful activist held urging government not to honour the businessperson’s K8 billion interest claim from government, in addition to the K3 billion compensation Mulli had earlier received for damages incurred during the July 2011 demonstrations.
Kajoloweka also wrote on his Facebook page: “Following my organisation’s press statement yesterday questioning Mulli’s claim, Leston Mulli called me on his mobile number +2765601427 at 8:35 in the morning throwing all sorts of insults and threats.”
The police investigations follow the condemnation and demand from HRDC that police should look into the matter as they believe that Kajoloweka’s life is in danger.
But Mulli earlier denied having issued any threat to Kajoloweka, renowned for speaking boldly against corruption, nepotism and impunity within the government system and elsewhere.
In an interview yesterday, HRDC deputy chairperson Gift Trapence emphasised the need for the police to investigate the matter swiftly for justice’s sake.
Mulli, through Sunrise Pharmaceuticals Limited and Chombe Foods Limited, sued government and claimed K3 billion as damages for losses during the July 2011 demonstrations in which 21 people were killed in Mzuzu, Blantyre and Lilongwe.
He is now seeking an additional K8 billion as interest for initial payment.
Mulli’s claim is being heard at the High Court in Blantyre.
