The Chronicle Newspaper (Lilongwe)
Priscilla Mateyu
23 June 2005
The Malawi National Youth Dialogue (MNYD) has reacted angrily to the unprofessional so called 'barbaric' and disturbing actions of the Malawi Police Force on the cold blooded murders of 12 year-old Mabvuto Bakali, and 16 year-old Anock Sande by Ngabu police within a period of 24 hours last week.
MNYD Coordinator, Kondwani Munthali in a press release said it is very disheartening to see that the supposed professional reformed Police use live bullets and brutal methods on unarmed, and more importantly, presumed innocent suspects.
As an advocacy grouping of young Malawians, MNYD has called for the arrests of all the officers responsible for such brutal acts that led to the deaths of Mabvuto Bakali and Anock Sande. They also call for a review of the performance, training and mental capacities of the police service.
MNYD says it will closely monitor the response from the authorities and if need arises, demonstrations will be organized to express their anger and dismay over the conduct of these "killing machines".
The organisation further says "the victims' blood is in the hands of our political and governance authorities that have allowed this trend to continuously become a norm".
Bakali (Mabvuto) died in custody after being assaulted by police for being suspected of stealing money amounting to K100, 000 while in transit from Chikwawa to Ngabu from a fellow passenger, while Anock Sande died after being shot by the police when they used live bullets to control a mob who were protesting against the death of Mabvuto Bakali.
According to MNYD, the boys' deaths add to six on the list of young people killed by the police within a period of 14 months. Others include 24 year-old Fanikiso Phiri at the University in Zomba and 9 year-old Epiphania Bonjesi killed by police after failing to control the mob with teargas.
MNYD says the youth that are being killed today are a vital resource for the well being of this nation.
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