MALAWIAN MURDERED BY BURUNDIAN OVER UNSETTLED BAR BILL

Tensions rose high in the Malawi’s capital city Lilongwe following the murder of a Malawian national by a Burundian refugee over an argument over a bill settlement.

FaceofMalawi speaking to Police spokesman Kingsley Dandaula in an interview identified the deceased Malawian as Kondwani Matapa and the Burundian as Froudard Ngedzayo.

According to an eyewitness at the scene, Vanessa Matanda, a resident of Mchesi, alleged the whole incident started when the deceased, Kondwani Matapa, and a friend were drinking at Ngedzayo’s bar Sunday night owned by the Burundian national.

He [Matapa] wanted to leave without settling the K800 bill when the Burundi national stabbed him with a knife in the chest.

Matapa was pronounced dead on arrival at Kamuzu Central Hospital.

When news of Matapa’s death spread, residents in the township invaded Ngedzayo’s bottle store, rice mill and residence, ransacking everything, said Mr. Dandaula.

The angry residents then vented their anger on any known Burundian resident in the township demanding that all Burundian nationals should be sent back to Dzaleka Refugee Camp,” claimed the eye witness.

The police spokesperson [Dandaula] also revealed to our FOM reporters that the suspect [Mr. Ngedzayo] handed himself to police and has since been charged with murder.

Currently the area calm but still tense therefore “We will continue to patrol the area and protect the Burundian community,” he said.