Mzuzu Police has taken into custody four individuals, including three relatives in connection with the murder of Gerald Chirwa, who worked as a security guard at St John of God Hospital.
The suspects are named as Magret Zimba (44), the victim’s wife; Chikondi Chirwa (21) and Labson Chirwa (18), the victim’s children, and Chisomo Nkhambule (27).
According to Cecilia Mfune, Deputy Public Relations Officer for Mzuzu Police, investigations showed that Chirwa was killed in Kaning’ina Forest last month while riding his motorcycle. Nkhambule allegedly was told by the family to lure Chirwa into the forest to collect charcoal, where he would be killed, and was promised k10 million for doing so.
Mfune stated that the deceased owned a significant amount of land and was known for having multiple wives, leading to family conflicts. Before the murder, Chirwa had moved to live with another wife in Mchengautaba, Mzuzu city.
The police investigation revealed that the family conflicts stemmed from disputes over land and inheritance. The suspects are believed to have planned the murder to have gain control of Chirwa’s properties.
The arrests have sent shockwaves through the community, with many expressing outrage and sadness over the brutal crime.
The case highlights the need for families to resolve disputes peacefully and the importance of seeking help from authorities when necessary.
The suspects are currently being at Mzuzu Police Station pending further investigations. The Police are working to gather more evidence and ensure that justice is served in this tragic case. The family of the deceased is still grieving, and the community is rallying around them in support.
The case also raised concerns about the safety of individuals with multiple spouses and the potential for family conflicts to escalate into violence.
It remains to be seen how this case will unfold in court, but the arrests have brought some sense of relief to the family the community.
