Barely few weeks after being released on court bail over (the offence of acts intended to cause grievous harm, contrary to section 235 of the penal code), a 52-year old man, Ernest Banda has been re-arrested in Lumbazi for allegedly killing his grandfather, Benitala Katola over land disputes.
It is reported that on March 25, 2022, the 80-year-old grandfather (now deceased) went to his land to plant bamboos at Kumongo Village in Chitukula. Whilst there, he was surprised to see that Banda had planted Cactus trees and stopped Katola from planting bamboos at the remaining piece of land saying it is a playground for children.
This angered Katola who started rebuking the suspect for his action. In reaction, the suspect hit Katola on his left thigh using a burnt brick forcing him to fall down and become unconscious.
The old man was taken to Kamuzu Central Hospital for treatment where he was admitted for over a month. On his discharge, Katola was given a wheel chair but since then, his health deteriorated until on 30 May where he died.
Postmortem done at the same facility disclosed that death was due to septic shock and mental deterioration secondary to physical assault and associated factors.
Meanwhile, the suspect will appear before court soon to answer a charge of murder.
He hails from Kumongo Village, Traditional Authority Chitukula in Lilongwe.
Police in Lumbadzi is therefore appealing to members of the community to stop violence against elderly people and to seek advice from relevant authorities regarding issues affecting them.
Sergeant Felix Kwinyani Lumbadzi Police Station Public Relations Officer
Cell; 0995 334 000
Website: www.police.gov.mw