By Jones Gadama
A disturbing incident of police brutality and malicious damage has come to light in Malawi, where four police officers have been arrested and charged with assaulting a technician and damaging his vehicle.
The incident occurred on March 17, 2025, at around 23:00 hours near Kavukula bridge in Mzimba. The victim, Davie John, a technician with Afro Egypt, reported the incident to the police, alleging that the four officers had stopped him and his driver, asked them what they were carrying, and then proceeded to beat him and damage his vehicle.
According to John, the officers took the car key, ordered him and his driver out of the vehicle, and then started beating him. The situation escalated when one of the officers hit John on the upper left eye with a glass bottle. John retaliated by hitting one of the officers with the same bottle.
The officers then smashed the vehicle’s windshield and view mirrors, causing extensive damage valued at K2,000,000. Members of the community intervened, and one of them took the car keys from the police officer and returned them to the driver, allowing them to flee the scene and report the incident to the police.
The four police officers, identified as Golden Mughogho, Caleb Phiri, Josephy Chirwa, and Blessings Mzumala, all based at Nkhatabay police station, were arrested and placed in police custody pending court proceedings.
This incident raises serious concerns about police brutality and the misuse of power in Malawi. The police are expected to protect and serve the community, not to engage in violent and destructive behavior.
The Malawi Police Service has a responsibility to ensure that its officers are held accountable for their actions and that the public has trust in the police. This incident must be thoroughly investigated, and those responsible must face the full force of the law.
The community has a right to demand justice and protection from the police.
This incident is a wake-up call for the authorities to take action and ensure that the police are serving the people, not themselves.
As the case proceeds to court, it is essential that justice is served, and the victim receives compensation for the damages and trauma inflicted upon him. The people of Malawi deserve better from their police service.