Man opens own prison in Mzimba

A well-known businessman at Embangweni Trading Centre in Mzimba is keeping and using police handcuffs to arrest people, Malawi24 has learnt.

Residents told Malawi24 that Wevu Tembo who is a well known businessman at Embangweni Trading Centre arrested a 15 year-old boy using his handcuffs last month.

It is said that Tembo’s wife had a quarrel with the boy at the Trading Centre. Upon receiving the news, Tembo went on to handcuff the boy.

Mother to the boy, Yunisi Phiri, confirmed the incident to Malawi24 and said police officers are the ones who unlocked the handcuffs.

“My son had a quarrel with Tembo’s wife and her husband came by my place and arrested my son. He took my son to police where they unlocked them and handed the handcuffs back to Tembo.

“Tembo is not a police officer or never worked in the police service before, we don’t know where he gets the handcuffs,” Phiri said.

Phiri further said that she did not open any case of unlawful arrest against Tembo.

“No I haven’t opened any case against Tembo yet. I am still waiting for him to come and apologise in person,” she said.

An eyewitness said when Tembo arrested the teen he paraded him around the trading centre before handing him to Embangweni Police Unit.

“It was like we were dreaming. We saw Tembo parading the boy who was in the handcuffs. As one of the community members I am really shocked with the behaviour of Tembo. This is really intimidating poor people,” said the eyewitness.

Tembo was not available to comment and officers at Embangweni Police declined to say anything on the matter.

However, a lawyer, Shepherd Mumba, suggested that the victim has the right to sue Tembo for unlawful arrest.

Mumba said: “It’s not acceptable. [It is] unlawful arrest.  The one who is arrested can claim damages for false imprisonment”