Journalist and TV presenter, Piers Morgan has stated that UK monarch, Queen Elizabeth should permanently strip Prince Harry of his military titles.

According to Morgan, who has always been critical of Harry and his wife, Meghan Mackle, the queen should take away Harry’s military titles because he cannot be an “absentee armchair general”.

When Harry and Meghan dramatically quit their royal duties in January 2020, the Duke was forced to give up his various roles in Her Majesty’s armed forces for one year.

The decision to strip him of the titles will be reviewed in March 2020, but reports say the Queen does not want to restore the honours believing her grandson cannot be a “half-in, half-out” royal.

Piers has now come out to state that Harry’s titles shouldn’t be restored.

Writing in the Daily Mail, Piers said: “What is being questioned is his ability to physically commit, in the UK, to the three military organisations he wants to represent.”

He adds:

“He was a good soldier himself, rising to the rank of Captain and serving two tours of Afghanistan during a 10-year military career.

“But none of this justifies him being allowed to retain honorary military titles he was given through his royal status when he still performed royal duties.

Newly-elected President Joe Biden is about to repeal Donald Trump’s ban on trans people serving in the Military as early as Monday, sources have confirmed.

Trump’s ban has been widely criticized by the LGBTQ community since it was brought into action in 2017. It stops people who have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria from serving, with some exceptions. In addition, it states that those who do not have this condition can serve, but only if they do so as the sex they originally belong to.

The senior Defense official told CBS News the repeal will be through executive order signed by President Joe Biden. https://t.co/1yS6nII4jE

— WBTV News (@WBTV_News) January 25, 2021

Trump had previously said that transgender people in the military would mean “tremendous medical costs and disruption,” but according to a 2016 Rand Corp. study commissioned by the Defense Department, letting them serve openly would have a small impact on readiness and health care costs.

The study estimated the number of trans military personnel at the time between 1320 and 6630. According to the Rand study, gender-transforming operations are rare and they estimated that maybe 30 to 140 people would be undergoing hormone treatments per year in the service, with 25 to 130 gender-transition surgeries yearly.

This could all cost between $2.4 million and $8.4 million yearly, which is a small sum, according to the study.

Mr. Trump’s move reversed a policy first approved by the Defense Department under former President Barack Obama, which was still being reviewed, that would have permitted trans people to serve openly. For years, Trump’s administration had stood in the way of the LGBT community, which includes banning trans people from competing in women’s sports – an action that has already been reversed by the Biden administration.

Looking back at the most significant battles and military operations in history, deception has always been an important strategy, and in modern-day Russia balloons are one of the most important tools of deception.

Bouncy castles aren’t known as the most effective tools of war, but in Russia, they are just as important as actual weapons worth millions of dollars. That’s because bouncy castles designed to mimic actual weapons cost a hundred times cheaper than the real thing, and can be deployed and moved a lot faster. And if your goal is to deceive the enemy, to appear stronger than you really are, drawing their fire, or simply buying time by forcing them to verify targets, this inflatable army is an important piece of your arsenal.

“If you study the major battles of history, you see that trickery wins every time,” Aleksei A. Komarov, the military engineer at balloon company RusBal, told The New York Times. “Nobody ever wins honestly.”

Once a simple balloon company, RusBal now specializes in inflatable replicas of various war machines used by the Russian military. Its creations range from life-size replicas of rocket launchers, tanks and fighter jets, to inflatable military tents and even radar stations.  It was founded in 1993 by a hot air balloon enthusiast and specialized in hot air balloons and inflatable children’s play sets, but today its biggest client is the Russian military.

Inflatable military gear has become such a big part of RusBal’s business, that it started developing accessories to complement its creations. For example, the company sells a device designed to create tank tracks to make its inflatable tanks deployed in the middle of barren fields less suspicious.

Russia’s inflatable army is part of Maskirovka, a Russian doctrine that mixes strategic and tactical deception with the aim of distorting an enemy’s conception of reality. The balloons, while very realistic to the untrained eye, are probably not going to fool the modern technology of the US Army or Russia’s other military rivals for too long, but they are realistic enough to be confusing for a while, and sometimes buying time is very important.

According to a 2010 report by the BBC, RusBal’s inflatable creations “are made of a special material that tricks enemy radar and thermal imaging into thinking they are real weapons”. This is a decade-old information, so it’s unclear if the balloons can still trick modern cameras and reconnaissance technology.

An inflatable T-80 tank reportedly costs around $16,000, which may sound like a lot for a bouncy castle, but considering that an actual tank costs millions to make, and probably more to maintain for several years, it’s actually a bargain. Plus it can be transported in two duffel bags and deployed using a simple air compressor.

Russia was hardly the first to use an inflatable army – the Allies used a “ghost army” during World War 2, and NATO forces bombed fake Serb tanks during the war in Kosovo – but it is definitely relying on this deceptive tactic more than any other country or military alliance in the world.

Yesterday Malawi Defense Force (MDF) welcomed at least 785 soldiers who graduated from the Malawi Armed Forces College (MAFCO) in Salima after underwent a 6 months intensive military training.

As the security department is celebrating to have boosted its strength in numbers of soldiers, mixed reactions have been voiced out from people saying most of the graduates’ soldiers are young who might not reach the required military qualifications.

Pictures are circulating on social media of the newly men and women in uniform whom some re seen to be underage probably 16 years falling with two years to reach 18 years of the required.

“Azikulira komko basi as far as they are within the required ages,” writes Gerlad Kampanikiza.

Giving his opinion one Rodgers Kadiso Banda said that’s a sign of corruption as the young soldiers cannot withstand during war.

“Zalowa chinyengo. These babies cannot stand heat if a rebel movement rises up or if Mozambique or Tanzania invade our soil. Child recruitment is a clear sign that MDF is losing substance. Bolanso Payoniya apa,” writes Banda.

While others are saying that the MDF is losing is substance, Ganizani Mulewa is questioning recruiting criteria.

“Why MDF having its own recruitment procedures different to other government departments. What I mean is selection criteria. We have never heard that tutors relatives have gone first to teaching training schools, Why MDF? Is it a sacred cow? I need to be schooled,” said Mulewa.

To clear the wind, under anonymous condition explained that these soldiers were recruited within the barracks and the majority are sons and daughters of serving soldiers.

“The serving men pushed the military command to enlist their wards before they themselves get retired. It was discovered that serving soldiers were having a lot of their children and dependents just staying idle who resorted to stealing and other immoral behaviors within the barracks,” said the anonymous.

The anonymous continued that most of the soldiers are young saying as young as 16 years of age were recruited with an aim of helping the serving members to have their children and relatives in the department.

Out of the 785 graduates, 602 are males and 183 females.

Malawi Defense Force (MDF) today has welcomed 785 soldiers who have graduated at Malawi Armed Forces College (MAFCO) in Salima.

Out of the 785 graduates, 602 are males and 183 females.

The graduation follows six months training in military tactics and physical fitness among other things.

General Peter Namathanga, Commander of the MDF has however asked the soldiers to be disciplined.

Commander of the Malawi Defense Force, General Peter Namathanga, has urged newly inducted soldiers to be apolitical in discharging duties.

General Namathanga said is “aware of current political environment in the country and comments made against us” saying MDF’s mandate is clear in the Malawi constitution

Deputy Defense minister, Chipiliro Mpinganjira, was is Guest of Honor during the pass out.

MDF former Commander, Vincent Nundwe was also in attendance.

New Commander of Malawi Defence Force (MDF) Peter Nathamanga said his soldiers are ready to take special operations in a work to fight corona virus that has claimed peoples lives across the globe.

He said this when he officially took over MDF commander position from Vincent Nundwe.

“The army is ready to take any operation in fighting against corona virus. In fact, the army is part of response team,” he said.

Namathanga added that some MDF officials are taking part in different government initiatives that are aimed at ensuring that the virus does not spread to Malawi.

Currently, Malawi has not registered any corona virus case but preventive measure are being implememnted to ensure that the virus does not spread to Malawi.

The out-going Army General Vincent Nundwe expressed lack of knowledge on any wrong doing that may have prompted President Peter Mutharika to eliminate him from Malawi Defense Force (MDF).

Mutharika, who is also MDF Commander, has replaced Nundwe with Major General Peter Andrew Lapken Namathanga.

“I’m not aware of any wrong doing to warrant me the firing,”said Nundwe.

According to Nundwe this is how things are supposed to be, “people are elected in different positions and they can also be removed” adding that he is happy that he was given an opportunity to lead MDF.

“It’s presidential prerogative. Just like Ministers they were appointed but the president dissolved the cabinet. I was appointed and now I am out. I am glad I was accorded this opportunity,” he explained.

Nundwe was appointed General to head MDF as soldiers popular choice to replace General Griffin Spoon Phiri who was appointed national security adviser, maintains that the military role is to protect the Constitution order.

The army under the leadership of Nundwe has been hailed for protecting protesters who have been calling for electoral justice, following last year’s disputed presidential elections.

The Association of Persons with Albinism in Malawi (APAM) has expressed dismay over the action by Malawi police Service to stop guarding their offices in Lilongwe.

A site visit by journalists to the premises discovered that armed police stopped guarding the offices during month end of May this year.

Reacting to the development, APAM president Ian Simbota said the association was not informed about the decision by police.

“For so far we have just seen that the officers are not coming and no communication, they have just stopped, just like that, so we don’t have any communication so far,” said Simbota.

According to the APAM president, the move is jeopardizing security of staff at the office.

“We are already vulnerable so we thought maybe the coming of the police would be something of a relief and then we are having no police at a very critical time like this one when we have got demonstrations almost daily, it`s tough, I mean it’s very distressing,” wondered Simbota.

Meanwhile, Lilongwe Police Spokesperson, Kingsley Dandaula is yet to comment on matter citing that they are investigating the issue.

For the past year, the country has witnessed barbaric rise in cases of continued attacks, abductions, and killings of persons with albinism.

Malawi Defense Force (MDF) has confirmed that one soldier has died while five others are missing, including two civilians following the accident that happened at Bua River in Kasungu on Sunday.

It is reported that the soldiers and the civilians were removing the bailey bridge which later collapsed on them.

MDF spokesperson Paul Chiphwanya confirmed the incident to local media on Monday.

“For now, I cannot give details of those missing and dead. Just know that one body has been found, therefore we are remaining with three soldiers and two civilians. Others have been injured,” Chiphwanya said.

When asked how civilians were involved in a job done by the military, Chiphwanya simply replied that they work with civilians.

“Even here at the barracks, we have civilians,” he said.

Kasungu Police spokesperson Harry Namwaza could not be reached for comment, but local media reports that the injured have been referred to Kasungu District Hospital.

But a preliminary Police report that has gone viral from Kasungu Police to the Commissioner of Police for Central Region indicates that Swanki Contractors hired 20 soldiers from Engineers Battalion camp in Kasungu to dismantle the said bridge which connects Kasungu and Nkhotakota.

“… as they were cutting the barriers, they all fell into heavy running water. Eleven of them survived with different injuries ranging from minor to serious,” reads part of the report.

Source : Kulinji.com

Four hundred and forty Malawian veterans are among the 7000 Commonwealth veterans who, from this year, will start receiving regular cash transfers to prevent them from going hungry under the new Department for International Development (DFID).

The programme, worth £11.8 million, extends to their widows and widowers in more than 30 countries.

Making the announcement on Sunday during the Remembrance Day Centenary Reception and Bell Ringing Ceremony at her residence in Lilongwe, the British High Commissioner to Malawi, Ms Holly Tett, said the UK recognises the sacrifices that the Commonwealth Veterans made.

After their fierce fight to protect empire at Moyale in Kenya and in the Forgotten Army in Burma, where many lost their lives, Malawian soldiers were discharged with no pension or anything, no thank you, nothing. In fact, a domestic servant could be discharged in a more honourable manner.

“UKAID will be supporting veterans across the Commonwealth to show the depth of gratitude that we have to these men and women. I am really pleased that we will be able to increase the cash transfers so that they can afford two meals a day.”

In his remarks, the Commander of Malawi Defence Force, General Griffin Spoon Phiri thanked the UK for the support, saying his organisation tries its best to look after the war veterans but faces challenges to satisfy the need.

“We do not take such kind of gesture for granted as this will go a long way in uplifting the welfare of these veterans and families.”

A war veteran, 16683 Sergeant John Masanya, who fought in the Second World War as a rifle man and later as a Radio Operator, said the new form of support from the UK would ease up his daily challenges.

The British High Commission in Lilongwe also supported MDF’s Charity golf, football and netball tournaments last week to raise extra resources for the war veterans.

The new Department for International Development (DFID) programme, which will be supporting the 440 veterans through regular cash transfers, will be delivered through the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League, a charity which has been supporting those such veterans who served The British Crown for almost 100 years.

Source : Malawi 24 and Uk in Malawi

Dramatic details have emerged of how a suspected would-be assassin — a tallish and dark young man wearing a yellow T-shirt — daringly stood in the middle of a crowd at a Zanu PF rally at White City Stadium in Bulawayo, about 30 metres away from the VIP stage where President Emmerson Mnangagwa and other senior party officials were seated, before viciously launching a grenade that fortuitously missed his apparent target — “the crocodile”.

The attack, perpetrated by a suspect police detectives described as “a young male, between the ages of 23 and 25 years, about 1,7 metres tall, and dark”, appears like a scene from the James Bond spy film series.

This comes as 35 security personnel held a meeting at Munhumutapa government building on Wednesday to rethink the security system and conduct a post-mortem of the horrific explosion which claimed the lives of two security aides, Colour Sergeant Stanley Mugunzva of the Presidential Guard unit in Dzivaresekwa in Harare who was assigned to Vice-President retired General Constantino Chiwenga and his co-deputy Kembo Mohadi’s aide Nelson Dube.

Inside security sources and government officials told the Zimbabwe Independent this week that if the grenade had not hit a VIP tent rope, caught a deflection to the right and shaved off the cheek of a presidential security aide, it was likely to have landed and exploded within a fatal radius around Mnangagwa. Whether he was the main target or not is still under probe.

“Investigations are continuing; we have come across some good leads yet there are also complications,” a senior police detective said. “We have discovered the suspect we are looking for was seized by the army soon after the grenade attack incident. Witnesses told us this. We have interviewed many witnesses and they have given us useful information.

“However, we want to interview the suspect; but we don’t have access to him. So the investigations can’t proceed properly.”

The attack came amid infighting within security agencies and escalating political brinkmanship between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga due to unresolved leadership issues within Zanu PF and over the control of levers of state power. Mnangagwa’s spokesman George Charamba suggested this when he located the attack in the context of “unresolved leadership issues”.

Rivalry and hostilities between security services also manifested themselves during the Wednesday meeting and continue to do so in the midst of the investigations.

The Independent has previously reported on the tensions between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga, and also among security forces. Purges after the coup that brought in the new administration within the police and Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) ranks were fuelled by the conflicts and distrust at the height of former president Robert Mugabe’s succession battle.

Sources said police, the intelligence services and the military are sweating to find a breakthrough to the shock attack unprecedented in Zimbabwe political and electoral processes.

A senior police source said although a suspect was seized by the army, this has not helped but complicated the investigation. It has reignited the rivalry and infighting among security agencies, apart from posing questions about the weapon itself, its origins and motive behind the attack.

While police think they are close to the truth if they interview the alleged hired gun, the military stands between them and the suspect.

“After the grenade attack, police interviewed people who told them that they saw some guy who launched an object that was directed towards the VIP stage. The witnesses said the man lobbed the item from about 30 metres to 35 metres from the podium, but it was diverted by a rope before shaving off a security aide’s cheek prior to landing and detonating,” a security source said.

“Before launching the object, some people had seen him fiddling around. The suspect was wearing a yellow Zanu PF T-shirt, dark in complexion and nearly 1,7 metres tall. He is about 25 years old. After the incident, he melted in the crowd and disappeared before soldiers and police went on his trail. Police were late and found him already seized by soldiers.”

Soon after the interviews at the crime scene, sources said, police followed the leads of witnesses who described the suspect and what he was wearing in the direction to which he fled. Sources added that when the suspect got to some point in the surrounding townships around White City Stadium the military grabbed him and he has not been seen ever since.

“The police have been trying to establish and confirm with the military whether they have the suspect or not in their custody, but to no avail. This has frustrated the investigations which police say now entirely depend on their access and interrogation of the suspect,” another security source said.

“Specialized investigation units from the Criminal Investigation Department, military and CIO are currently camped in Bulawayo trying to get to the bottom of the issue. There is no proper coordination. There was even chaos over hotel accommodation for investigation teams.

“During the investigations, police came to the conclusion that the suspect must be a person with some security background and training, experience in the handling of weapons. The way the grenade was handled and lobbed shows basic security training on the part of the suspect.”

Sources added that the investigation team is also probing the source of the explosive device, with indications showing that it could not have come from the police because they no longer keep grenades following last year’s coup.

“For now police are trying to understand whether or not the suspect was acting as a lone wolf — alone — or with others. Weapons experts are analysing the debris from the explosion to determine what type of grenade it was and where it came from,” a source said.

Although no information has been obtained yet about the source of the grenade, the motive and exact target, investigations so far show Mnangagwa was the likely target.
The footage and pictures show Chiwenga was following Mnangagwa and Mohadi before briefly stopping to engage his wife Mary, seconds before the explosion. If he had moved forward seconds before that, he could have been hit by the grenade.

In the aftermath of the explosion, Mnangagwa this week told the BBC that indications are that the suspect was linked to G40, a former Zanu PF faction which had coalesced around ex-first lady Grace Mugabe.

“My hunch, without evidence, is that people who are aggrieved by the new dispensation are the G40 cabal. That is the logical and reasonable conclusion one may take until evidence is brought forward and until you pin down as to why this happened, when you get the person and he tells us his history and the purpose of what happened and why he did what he did,” Mnangagwa said.

“I think this is a political action by some aggrieved persons by the current democratic dispensation in the country.”

However, Mugabe’s nephew Patrick Zhuwao, who was a key member of the G40 faction dismantled by the coup, said Britain’s New Scotland Yard should take a leading role in carrying out a probe into the Bulawayo explosion.

“It’s the wish of the majority of Zimbabweans that your government should take a leaf from the American government which has availed the FBI to assist with the investigation of the grenade attack that killed two people and injured over a hundred others at a political rally addressed by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali in Addis Ababa on the same day of the Zanu PF bombing,” Zhuwao said in an open letter to British Prime Minister Theresa May.

“You and your government would occupy higher moral ground if you offered the professional and internationally respected services of Scotland Yard to assist with the investigation of the Zanu PF bomb to ensure credible findings.”

Police say they are still investigating. Efforts to get comment from the army were unsuccessful.

Source – Zimbabwe Independent

A python snake has met its sudden justice after it visited Malawi defense soldiers` battalion in Dowa.

The incident is said to have happened last week at Mvera support battalion in Dowa district.

soldiers holding up the snake

A tiny report says, one woman had reported to the soldiers around the area that the deadliest snake was killing her chickens. In help of the woman, the soldiers took steps to help the worrying lady by killing the python.

It is reported that it was killed with 10 live bullets.

It was 3.7 in length and weighed over 15 Kg`s.

However, there hasn’t been any official communication from the MDF.

As it is always being sang, Malawi is not always to trend on good things but on bad ones, then is not surprisingly to see its Defence force is not well funded.  Even though, some African countries also are suffering due to political upheaval, fighting and oppression, Global Firepower (GFP) has ranked the African nations based on their military might.

Here are the top 12 most powerful countries in Africa, with their Power Index (PwrIndx).

12) Democratic Republic of Congo (PwrIndx: 2.6642)

Active Personnel: 144,000

The population of Democratic Republic of Congo is 75,507,308. The nation covers 2,344,858 sq km. Its defense budget is $162,000,000.

11) Sudan (PwrIndx: 2.3465)

Active Personnel: 109,300

Sudan covers an area of 1,861,484 sq km and has a coastline of 853 km. The nation’s defense budget is $2,470,000,000. It has 360 tanks and 168 aircraft.

10) Libya (PwrIndx: 2.3353)

Active Personnel: 76,000

Libya has a population of 6,244,174. It covers 1,759,540 sq km and has a coastline of 1,770 km. The nation’s defense budget is $3 billion. Libya has 400 tanks and 46 aircraft.

9) Angola (PwrIndx: 2.2599)

Active Personnel: 107,000

Angola’s population is 18,565,269. It has 107,000 active frontline personnel and 3,039,089 people are fit for service. Angola has one of the largest air forces in Africa. Angola has 140 tanks and 270 aircraft.

8) Tunisia (PwrIndx: 1.8635)

Active Personnel: 35,800

Tunisia’s defense budget is $550,000,000. It covers an area of 163,610 sq km and a coastline of 1,148 km. The nation has 350 tanks and 139 aircraft. Total naval strength is 150.

7) Morocco (PwrIndx: 1.8499)

Active Personnel: 195,800

The population of Morocco is 32,649,130 and the defense budget is $3.4 billion. Morocco covers an area of 446,550 sq km and has a coastline of 1,835. It has 1,348 tanks and 323 aircraft.

6) Kenya (PwrIndx: 1.7689)

Active Personnel: 24,120

Kenya covers an area of 580,367 sq km and a coastline of 536 km. The nation’s defense budget is $595 million. Kenya has 24,120 active frontline personnel and 12,168,138 people are fit for service

5) Nigeria (PwrIndx: 1.5261)

Active Personnel: 80,000

Population of Nigeria is 174,507,539. The country’s defense budget is $2.33 billion. It has 363 tanks and 96 aircraft. Nigeria’s total naval strength is 75. It covers 923,768 sq km and has a coastline of 853 km.

4) South Africa (PwrIndx: 1.3467)

Active Personnel: 62,082

South Africa covers 1,219,090 sq km and has a coastline of 2,798 km. Defense budget of South Africa is $4.61 billion. The nation has 191 tanks, 213 aircraft, and its total naval strength is 30.

3) Ethiopia (PwrIndx: 1.3229)

Active Personnel: 138,000

The population of Ethiopia is 93,877,025. It has 182,500 active frontline personnel. The nation covers 1,104,300 sq km. Ethiopia’s defense budget is $340 million. It has 560 tanks and 81 aircraft.

2) Algeria (PwrIndx: 1.1698)

Active Personnel: 130,000

Algeria covers an area of 2,381,741 sq km and has a coastline of 998 km. The nation’s defense budget is $10.57 billion.

1) Egypt (PwrIndx: 0.6122)

Active Personnel: 438,500

Egypt is the most powerful nation in Africa. It has 4,767 tanks and 1,100 aircraft. Its total naval strength is 237. As of 2011 the Egyptian Armed forces have more than 438,500 active personnel, in addition to 800,000 personnel available in reserve and over 400,000 paramilitary personnel making it one of the largest armies in the world. At $7.85 billion, it also has the largest defense budgets in the world.

It would be wonderful if some of these nations use their military power to spread peace and goodwill among its citizens.

Nine members of the Islamist group Boko Haram have been arrested in Cameroon after the Nigerian army conquered them.

A Nigerian citizen, Mauza Alhaj Misiya added only five photos on his Facebook account from the 9 who were caught with a list of their names.

Mauza described the development as a new year achievement saying that this is a sign that Boko Haram is coming to an end.

Below are photos of only 5 members from the 9 captured

Boko Haram is an extremist Islamic group that has created havoc across the north of Nigeria and in the capital Abuja with its violent attacks.

Police in Zomba are no where in sight as some army members who are on a vengeance mission attacked and injured a Police officer Sunday night.

It has come to our knowledge that the army who were harassing people during the night of Sunday found one of the police officers having fun at one of the drinking joints in Zomba.

The soldiers without hesitation attacked and injured the Police officer, Zomba police has confirmed.

In recent reports the army is also said to have destroyed a road block at Four miles in the city. As of now there are no Police officers on the road block as well as on the streets of Zomba.

Although Malawi Defence Force (MDF) is denying the allegations being labelled against it.

Spokesperson of the Malawi Defence Francis Kakhuta Banda said he is not aware of any soldiers terrorising people in the city.

“Yes we lost a soldier and we are investigating the matter to found out what really transpired, that’s all we are doing for now,” he said.

Banda further added that the Defence Force does not have any knowledge that other soldiers are going around beating people in the city.

Tension has risen in the old capital Zomba as a police officer on patrol shot dead a Malawi Defence (MDF) soldier of Cobbe Barracks Saturday night.

According to reports the incident occurred around 11 pm when the victim, who has been identified as Price Lameck, was coming from a beer drinking joint with his in-law and having reached the Zomba depot close a mosque, they met police who were on patrol.

It was while on their way home that they met they met patrolling police officers.

The deceased was then questioned by the police as to where he was coming from and he allegedly responded provocatively, saying he is a soldier and that the police could not question him where he was coming from.

MDF spokesman Lt Col. Francis Kakhuta-Banda confirmed that the shooting victim Lance-corporal Price Lameck from Pwandaphwanda village, TA Nkalo Chiradzulu was a soldier at Cobbe Barracks.

Currently details of the deceased are not ready as his next of kin has not been located and communicated to, he said.

To assert their authority on their duty, the police pursued him with force and a heavy struggle followed. The soldier was overpowering the police and further wanted to snatch a gun from one police officer, probably to prove his seniority, but the police officer had to, as per vow in the discipline, protect his gun.

“Though shall not lose the gun by any means” vow forced one of the police officers to shoot the soldier in the leg. Another bullet was, reportedly, delivered in the stomach before a deadly one was directed in the chest.

Before actually dying, the soldier crawled to a nearby tree and bled for an hour. His brother had, by this time, ran away. The police then abandoned the man and went on with their patrol duty.

In the wee hours of Sunday, some traders took the body to Zomba Central Hospital where it was announced dead.

Throughout Sunday, pressure had been mounting on the police as the soldiers at the Barracks were on the verge of taking the law into their hands to manhandle police officers who killed their colleague.

The incident happened barely hours after Malawi President, Peter Mutharika, instructed police officers to use any force “within the law” to curb crime.

The United States Government has announced that it will continue in assisting and supporting the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) in capacity building.

According to US Deputy Ambassador to Malawi, Michael Gonzales was speaking at a graduation of 17 Senior Non-Commissioned Officers at the Malawi Armed Forces College in Salima confirmed of the development.

The officers have undergone 3 months training on how to improve leadership roles in operations.

Gonzales said the US was pleased with the way the MDF was adapting to the new skills.

Malawi Police inspector Lot Dzonzi has condemned the police exercise of brutal acts on Malawians in their line of duty.

The law does not allow police officers to use force in some instances, there are legal limitations as to where their freedom can go, said Dzonzi.

“Yes the law does not allow us to use force in some occasions, it also allows us to use weapons such as guns, but not every situation, as a matter of fact, guns are to be used for disabling and not hurting people. Policemen are however not allowed to exercise brutal measures on people unnecessarily,” explained the inspector.

It is the duty of every policeman to protect and not instil fear in the citizens it protects. Policemen are hired to secure the well being of all citizens, said the IG.

“When people see a policeman they are supposed to feel safe and not the other way around,” said Dzonzi.

The IG further exclaimed that proper measure will be taken on all policemen found guilty of unnecessarily hurting Malawian.

“I would like to acknowledge the efforts of mobile police officers for how dedicated they have been during and after the May 20 elections despite the limited resources that they have. Likewise I would like to thank the Crime Investigative Department for their tireless efforts to curb crime,” he explained.