A statement signed by Malawi Police Service (MPS) spokesperson James Kadadzera has confirmed that two police officers are in custody on suspicion that they killed three fishers and injured two others.

The above follows after a fracas that ensued at Lingani Fishing Dock of Lake Chilwa. According to the statement, “The fishers refused to hand over their fishing nets to members of the BVC [Beach Village Committee] as is required and, instead, launched an attack on them. It is reported that the police used their firearms to protect themselves and the BVC members and to further arrest the fishers”.

Considering the gravity of this incident and the potential impact it has on the image of the MPS and also in order to render the findings of this inquiry credible, the MPS invites stakeholders such as the Malawi Human Rights Commission and the Independent Police Complaints Commission for a joint investigation into the matter.