By Vincent Gunde

The concerned Migoza family members say they are disappointed with the conduct being demonstrated by Area 3 Lilongwe Police Station through its Officer-in-Charge over mysterious death of Mr. Emmerson Migoza who died on 7th January, 2024 following police officers’ assault that took place on 25th December, 2023.

The family says the conduct of police officers at Area 3 Police Station is very suspicious and likely to create public distrust to the Malawi Police Service (MPS) by the general public claiming that police officers are playing Daley Tactic Game on the matter.

They say the Daley Tactic Game will not only delay the timely burial of late Emmerson Migoza’s body but also intends to prevent justice on this matter demanding to see justice being prevailed in this matter for the truth to prevail.

Writing in a statement, the Migoza family say Mr. Emmerson Migoza who used to work as a Security Guard at Teachers Union of Malawi (TUM) Secretariat in Lilongwe was confirmed dead by Doctors at Kamuzu Central Hospital in the early hours of Sunday, 7th January, 2024 following his release from the police cell of Area 3 police station on 26th December, 2023.

The family say on 25th December, 2023 in the afternoon, Mr. Migoza (late) was cycling to work passing through the newly constructed Lilongwe Bridge when he was confronted by civilian police officers from Area 3 police station who were in their official vehicle-Land Cruiser.

The officers accused Migoza of drunkenness which provoked him as he does not drink alcohol, the intense argument erupted between him and a group of police officers who beat him severely and throw him into their vehicle together with his Bicycle, arrested and was released on police bail conditions the following day, Tuesday, 26th December, 2023.

Since then, Mr. Migoza had been complaining of severely head pains as a result of the assault he suffered while in police custody, saying on 3rd January, 2024 Head scanning was done at Kamuzu central hospital and was given a 3- day bed rest.

On Friday,5th January, 2024 while at his home at Kauma-in Area 12, Migoza’s condition severely deteriorated and was rushed to KCH where he was admitted and the same day, he was discharged on 6th January, 2024.

“In the early hours of Sunday, 7th January, 2024 he was rushed again to KCH where Doctors pronounced him DEAD on arrival,” reads the statement in part.

The family say surprisingly, upon receiving the death news, Lilongwe Police Station through its Officer-in-Charge proposed the name of a Forensic Pathologist, Dr. Dzamalala to carry out the postmortem and offered to pay all related costs, but the family and TUM Secretariat have opted for another certified Pathologist of their own choice.

Lilongwe Police Station is still insisting the involvement of Pathologist Dr. Dzamalala, the Migoza family has claimed that it is disheartening to learn that till now, police officers involved in the death of late Emmerson Migoza have not been arrested despite the strong suspicion that they played a role in his death.