Malawi: Police in Mchinji have detained 32 students from Mphangala Private Boarding Secondary School for vandalizing school properties. The group was part of the students’ protests against the institution’s management.
Publicist for Mchinji Police, Constable Limbani Mpinganjira revealed the protests got out of hand. Some students among the protesters began damaging and setting fire to school properties. When the protesters started to damage the property of the school, the authorities were prompted to report to Kamwendo Police Post.
“Forthwith, police upon learning about the incident, visited the scene and managed to disperse the students. Later, the students fled to surrounding villages to resume chaos,”said the police department.Â
Eventually, in the course of their attempt to flee the scene, they damaged the windscreen of a Toyota Land Cruiser belonging to Mchinji Police, registration number MP 2642.
The damaged school properties include:
- Electric cable wires.
- Two mattresses.
- Four chairs.
- Four window flames.
- One aluminium pot whose total value is yet to be established as investigations are currently underway.
The names of the suspects include Precious Steven, 22, from Kandaya Village, Traditional Authority Simphasi in Mchinji, Chikondi Nakaleti aged 22, from Mlonyeni Village under Traditional Authority Mlonyeni in Mchinji, and thirty others.
The suspects are expected to appear before the court to answer a charge of Malicious Damage and Arson. The date for the court hearing will be announced by the police force later.
The students of the organization have shared their disappointment with the management of the boarding secondary school. However, the authorities assumed that the protest would be peaceful.
The 32 students who were arrested are expected to remain in the custody of the officials till the court sets a sentence for their offense.
Meanwhile, the people of Malawi are disappointed by the actions of the student groups. Many social media users questioned why this has become a habit among the students. People asked the authorities to ensure that the courts do justice.
