Police at Kaporo in Karonga District have arrested a 43-year-old man, Cannan Mkandawire, on suspicion that he murdered his 63-year-old aunt, Mirrium Mkandawire, at Edwin Village in the district.
Confirming the development with Malawi24, Karonga Police Station Public Relations Officer, Constable Margret Msiska, said the suspect allegedly strangled his aunt to death on December 21, 2024, following the mysterious death of a child on December 19, in which the deceased was suspected to have been involved.
She said villagers had earlier banned the deceased from attending the child’s burial ceremony, accusing her of bewitching the child. However, the suspect allegedly went further and issued death threats, warning her against continuing to stay in the village.
“The deceased was later found dead by her son during one of his regular visits, prompting him to immediately alert the police.
“Police detectives visited the scene and established that entry into the house had been gained through a window. The body was taken to Kaporo Rural Hospital, where a post-mortem examination revealed that the cause of death was suffocation due to strangulation”, Msiska explained.
She added that, following intensive investigations and intelligence gathering, the police arrested the suspect on December 28, 2024. Upon interrogation, he voluntarily confessed to having strangled his aunt to death at her home.
Cannan Mkandawire hails from Vikalembeka Village under Traditional Authority Kilupula in Karonga District and is expected to appear in court soon to answer a charge of murder, contrary to Section 209 of the Penal Code.
