5 players, football fan arrested over fracas in Chikwawa

Malawi Police in Chikwawa have arrested five Mpokonyola Green Eagles football players and a supporters for allegedly inciting violence and injuring assistant coach for their rival team, Mpokonyola Young Strikers.

The arrested players have been identified as Kalonga Luwani, Bendro Skova, Samson Duncan, Maloya Luwani, and Sinalesi Mkamwa with the victim identified as Masauso Kamiza.

The suspects were arrested in the wee hours of Wednesday following a protracted wrangle between the two camps over the football pitch in Mpokonyola village, East Bank in the district.

The two sides were once a single team before one camp–Mpokonyola Young Strikers–split away and formed their own team, a thing that do not go down well with Mpokonyola Green Eagles.

The new team reportedly took on board some players from their rivals and were advised by Chiefs in the area to be training twice a week — Mondays and Tuesdays.

“Chaos, however, broke out as the rival Green Eagles invaded the pitch assaulting Young Strikers players and  their official, a Mr Kalumbi.

“The two teams have been at a loggerheads until Traditional Authority Katunga brokered a consensus.

“However, ugly scenes returned on 8 January this year when Young Strikers resumed training. One supporter from the rival camp–Sinalesi Mkamwa—allegedly stormed into the ground while inciting violence. She and other four players descended on the rival team beating up players and assistant coach Kamiza,” explained Benjamin.

Six Mpokonyola Young Strikers were reported to have been roughed up and the matter was consequently reported to Police.

Benjamin said law enforcers could not just rush apprehending the suspects without making thorough investigations.

“Police have since been pursuing the matter until Wednesday when they got the five arrested.

“They have been charged with inciting violence and common assault which contravene Sections 86 and 253 of the Penal code, respectively,” he said.

According to him, they will appear in court soon.

The suspects come from Mpokonyola Village in the area of Traditional Authority Katunga in Chikwawa.

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