Concerned Malawians have announced plans to hold demonstrations aimed at forcing Malawi Police to arrest people allegedly involved in the death Emmilie Halimana Noel, a man of Rwandan origin.
Halimana Noel 36, allegedly died in a road accident in Lilongwe along the M1 road around the Kanengo Northgate area on October 17, 2022.
However, a postmortem report which we have seen and which was authored by a forensic clinical officer at Kamuzu Central Hospital suggests that Halimana was possibly murdered and the accident was a cover-up.
The activists have said they will hold peaceful demonstrations on November 23, 2022 in Lilongwe where a petition will be hand delivered to the Inspector General of Police (IG) Merlyn Yolamu at Area 30.
“In an event that the police will not act after presenting the petition to the IG, we will be forced to effect citizen arrest by picking the suspects named in the autopsy report which is in our possession,” reads part of the statement.
Earlier this month, the concerned citizens gave the MPs seven days to arrest suspects connected to the mysterious death of the Lilongwe-based businessman.
However, police are yet to arrest suspects. The only person reported to have been arrested is Halimana’s driver.
According to concerned citizens – Wells Khama, Cynthia Chikalema and Ester Kubwalo – they suspect that the people connected to the incident are being protected by the law enforcers.
“It is clear that the police are now running out of excuses as to why they are not arresting the suspects when Malawians have a million cases where the police have denied suspects bail apparently to finish investigations and they are here in this case trying hard to finish investigations before making arrests in a serious case where a life was lost.
“It is for this reason that, we the Concerned Citizens, reiterate the vow to fight for justice to prevail on the death of Emmilie,” reads part of their statement read at a press briefing in Lilongwe today.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that there is a second autopsy report by a different Kamuzu Central Hospital pathologists which conflicts the findings of the first report.
However, National police spokesperson, Supt. Peter Kalaya has told the local media that the hospital has since released a consolidated autopsy report from which police investigators will draw leads to pursue the case.
“Police are treating this matter professionally, and that, they will not cower to any external influences to shape the course of the investigation and its outcome,” said Kalaya.
