Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Mines Bright Msaka on Friday condemned the Malawi Defense Force (MDF) for using a live ammunition to unarmed civilian in Mulanje saying the development is worrisome.
On Thursday one of the MDF soldiers shot dead a civilian who was farming close to the restricted Mulanje mountain with his colleagues as the soldiers suspected that they were enchroachers.
However, Msaka said his ministry did not instruct the MDF soldiers to use live ammunition to unarmed civilians.
He said as government they are deeply concerned with the development and urged Malawian soldiers to work professionally.
“As far as we are concerned, what the MDF soldiers did on Thursday in Mulanje is an acceptable and as a government we condemn that,” said Msaka.
“My ministry only advised the MDF soldiers to use live ammunition to armed enchroachers not mere civilians. This is part of protecting themselves,” he disclosed.
However, the minister failed to disclose the measure that government will take to the concerned soldier especially because a life was lost..
After learning that one of their member has been shot dead, the descended on the soldiers and seriously injured one of the MDF soldier who was rushed to Mulanje hospital before being referred to Queens Hospital in Blantyre for further treatment.
It is also alleged that one of the soldiers is missing within the mountain.
Meanwhile, both the security department that include the MDF and Malawi Police Services are failing to issue a comment on the matter.