Students arrested for torching laboratory room, staff room

Police in Ntcheu on Thursday arrested nine students from Lake View Secondary School for allegedly torching the school laboratory room, staff room and accounts office.

Ntcheu Public Relations Officer Hastings Chigalu confirmed of the development in an interview with the press, saying the students are now on bail.

“Without presenting their grievances to the authorities, the students from form one to form three organized themselves and went to Njolomole Trading Centre where they purchased paraffin for their mission,” he added, saying, “They later used it to set the buildings on fire.”

According to Chigalu, the students were not happy with the diet the school was providing them and the transfer of some teachers.

The students are Francies Balakasi, 18, John Kachule, 17, Precious Mponyani, 16, Price Njewa,16, Pacific Gwaza,15, McMillan Zakalia,15, McDonald Nyasulu,15, and Dalitso Fredric,15.

They will appear in court soon to answer a case of arson which contravenes section 337 of the penal code.