‘Mutharika regime accountable to death of student activist’

Malawi government of  Bingu wa Mutharika has been accused of killing, torturing critics and activists in a desperate bid to preserve eluding power and has been challenged to answer 'murder' allegations on the death of Robert Chasowa a political activist.

Chasowa, who was a "wanted" man for his anti-government activities according to police, was found dead last Saturday and police quickly ruled his death as suicide which has been disputed by the family and his mates at Polytechnic, a constituent college of the University of Malawi,

Speaking at the burial ceremony on Monday in Blantyre, opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) deputy secretary general Hophmally Makande said the party held the DPP-led government of president Bingu wa Mutharika accountable for the death of Chasowa.

Thousands attended the burial ceremony

Rev Mtonga and mourners at the funeral

Makande speaking on behalf of UDF chairman Dr. Cassim Chilumpha who was "too aggrieved to speak", called for a through inquiry into the mysterious death?

"As a party, we join all those that are calling for a clearer explanation regarding the mysterious death of our dear son and not just dismiss it as suicide," Makande said, attracting handclapping from the hundreds of mourners.

He said the country had lost a very important personality in Robert that would have been instrumental in positively shaping the socio-economic and political landscape of this country if his performance record at school is anything to go by.

Police insisted the death was "suicide" and published a suicide note Chasowa allegedly wrote to his father.

In the note which its authenticity has not been verified by any handwriting expert, the student is alleged to have written that he was committing suicide because, according to the note, “politics is fun but dangerous”.

“Politics is fun father, but dangerous I agree. I was accountable to you and the family. I should have told you everything…something terrible is about to happen to me. Am sorry I never explained anything when I came last time. I am sorry for the pain that I am about to cause. I have taken my own life,” the unsigned note in capital letters reads in part.

Family members, and students at the Polytechnic  want answers from the police and government, saying the suicide claim is  "cheap theory" arguing that  if Chasowa threw himself off a five-storey building, he  should have sustained multiple fractures but pathologist Dr Charles Dzamalala said he only had  the head injuries.

Chasowa was a member of a Youth for Freedom and Democracy (YFD) group whose scathing publication The Weekly Political Update has already seen police arrest some of the its members, including leader, known as Black Moses.

Moses is currently remanded at Chichiri Prison as Mwaluka said police are still investigating the issue of the publication which he said has been disparaging President Bingu wa Mutharika.

Meanwhile, Malawi Human Rights Commission says it will investigate the matter and come up with an independent report, according to John Kapito the head of the state-agency.

Paying last respects to Robert Chasowa

Nyasa Times 27 Sep, 2011

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Source: http://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi/2011/09/26/%e2%80%98mutharika-regime-accountable-to-death-of-student-activist%e2%80%99/
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