Teenager testifies in UTM office arson case
Proceedings in the April 2020 UTM Party Area 24 office arson case turned emotional turn yesterday when 13-year–old Ahamadu Tambala narrated how his parents and a sibling died in the attack.
The teenager said the attack, which apparently targeted UTM Party offices on April 5 2020 ahead of the court-sanctioned Fresh Presidential Election on June 23 that year, sparked a fire which killed his parents and brother.
Ahamadu, who at the time of the incident was 11, said he still recalled what happened on the fateful day.
He told the High Court of Malawi, which moved to the scene of the incident to appreciate the State’s evidence, how the tragedy hit the family.
In the case, former United Democratic Front spokesperson Ken Ndanga alongside seven others stand accused of murder of three members of the Tambala family.
From his face and the faint voice, the young boy appeared traumatised to recall an act which brings poignant recollection. His eyes seemed teary and he mostly spoke with a jerking voice.
It took presiding Judge Annabel Mtalimanja to calm down the boy who spoke mostly facing down.
The boy is a fourth born in a family of eight and is the third State witness in the case.
He was among seven members of the Tambala family who were in the building at the time of the attack.
The State yesterday also paraded Kondwani Sibale as fourth witness. He worked as an inserter at Nation Publications Limited in Lilongwe.
Fifth witness Joseph Patel, owner of Crazmatic Private Secondary School near the affected UTM offices, told the court that the victims were severely injured as he took them to the hospital.
The judge adjourned the case to June 21 2022.
Security guard Selemani Tambala, his wife Ayiles and son Shukuran died at Kamuzu Central Hospital while receiving treatment for severe burns.
