By Sarah Mlozoa

The Malawi Police Service (MPS) has condemned the growing tendency of mob justice and other ugly violence in the country.

A press statement signed by the public relations officer for the Malawi Police Service James Kadadzera said some unpatriotic citizens opt to disrespect the rule of law by propagating acts of violence.

This follows ugly scenes of violence in Chintheche in Nkhata-Bay district, Nathenje in Lilongwe and Chitakale in Mulanje district.

“The Malawi Police Service has noted with great concern, a growing tendency by some unpatriotic citizens who opt to disrespect the rule of law, by propagating acts of violence; resulting in sporadic incidences of mob justice, arson, theft and malicious damage to property,” reads part of the statement.

On August 31, 2020, ugly scenes of violence were recorded in Chintheche in Nkhata-bay, Nathenje in Lilongwe and Chitakale in Mulanje. In these places, some irate individuals disregarded the laws and caused havoc in their respective communities.

In the case of Chintheche, the villages of Hanambo and Chinganga under Traditional Authority Fukamalaza engaged in a fierce fight over protracted land issues.

The incident claimed two innocent lives and four others were injured.

Furthermore, over 50 houses were demolished and over 25 goats stolen. It took the swift intervention of the police to restore order.

“The service strongly condemns this uncivilized behaviour and warns that all individuals who have had a hand in the above cited incidents will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly,” the statement reads.

Meanwhile three village headmen who are suspected to have been fuelling the violence in Chintheche have already been arrested.

Kadadzera has since advised groups of people with adverse ideas to opt for dialogue, other than engaging in fights.