University student found dead, left note | The Nation

Controversy surrounds the death of University of Malawi student who was found in a pool of blood at the Polytechnic college campus Saturday morning.

The fourth year mechanical engineering student Robert Chasowa, had a deep cut on the back of his head as his body lay motionless at about 4am on Saturday.

His death has riled students at the college who have chased security guards for failing to report the incident promptly.

Tension was high Saturday after dawn when the students carried tree branches to protest his death. The students also prevented continuing education students from attending classes.

College authorities refused to provide details of the death.

But police, who were yet to get post-mortem results, said Chasowa briefly returned to his room at midnight but was spotted with a female student at the campus earlier.

Southern Region Police Headquarters spokesperson Davie Chingwalu said police have recovered a note which was left with the female student.

“The note, which is sealed, is addressed to his father. We will deliver it to his father,” said Chingwalu.

But students who sought anonymity because they are not mandated to speak to the media suspect foul play.

Some students alleged that Chasowa was a “wanted” man by security forces and has been in hiding after police quizzed him over anti-government activities.

Chasowa was a member of a Youth for Freedom and Democracy (YFD) group whose scathing publication The Weekly Political Update has already seen police arrest some of the its members, including leader, known as Black Moses.

Moses is currently at Chichiri Prison, alleged the Polytechnic source.

On Tuesday, plain clothes police officers stormed the college to question the institution’s administrators on the existence of YFD, a political pressure group.

Chingwalu confirmed that Chasowa was wanted by police in connection with an investigation. Chingwalu did not give any details of the investigation implicating Chasowa.

Polytechnic Student Union (PSU) held a general assembly in the Main Lecture Theatre Saturday afternoon where they expressed sorrow and regret at the death of Chasowa.

The students said they were disappointed and are fearing for their lives.