Prisoner’s death sparks tension at Malawi’s maximum prison

Tensions are running high in the Malawi’s maximum prison facility in Zomba at the moment after the death of a prison inmate Elisa Mato who was reportedly beaten to death by warders.
The prisoner was reportedly assaulted and tortured by prison warders and taken to Zomba central hospital when he was in bad shape only to be pronounced dead.

Mato, 43 of TA Majawa in Ntcheu district was reportedly attacked by prison officer who included Officer-in-charge Mteya, Mrs Chikungwa a staff officer of acting chief commissioner of Prison.

Another inmate Nunkha is said to be battling for his life after being tortured but prison officials are refusing to take him to hospital,

Prison officers who spoke to Nyasa Times said Mr Chisoso of Zomba Prison Clinic is attending to Nunkha with “limited resources”.

Nunkha as well as the deceased was badly beaten with injuries consistent with torture, Nyasa Times understands.

Prisoners are plotting revenge following the torture and are targeting warders Mwamande, Khembo, Chongwe, Sendeza, Chirunga and Kondwani Matrauza.

“They are demanding change of officer-in-charge, commissioner of prisons and acting chief commissioner of prisons. These are said to be behind the torture,” a source said.

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