The man who was severely beaten by Malawi Defence Force (MDF) soldiers while wearing camouflage in Zomba was a thief.
According to a Malawi Defence Force soldier who did not want to be named, the man is from Mtiya in the district and was caught stealing.
Last week, a video and images emerged of the young man who was assaulted by Malawi army officers. Malawians on social media said the man was beaten for wearing camouflage.
The issue sparked debate with some Malawians demanding soldiers to stop beating people for putting on military colours.
However, an MDF soldier has told Malawi24 that the young man who was assaulted had been using military uniform to terrorise villages surrounding Cobbe Barracks.
“Those who fabricate stories have negative attitude with soldiers. The man was using military uniform to steal whenever he meets people at night. That man has been terrorising villages around Cobbe Barracks,” the MDF soldier said.
