Activist say Jose confession on Chasowa can help in case: New Malawi police IG denies murder
Commentators have said the statement by newly-confirmed Inspector General (IG) of Police Rodney Jose to clear himself on allegations that he had a hand in the murder of Polytechnic student Robert Chasowa, could give a lead to help investigating the mysterious death of the fourth year engineering student.
Chasowa was on September 24 2011 found dead at the Polytechnic campus in Blantyre and police declared his death as suicide, claiming he had jumped from high rise building but it was revealed he was murdered by regime thugs with knowledge of police top brass.
Jose was Commissioner for Southern Region at the time of the incident and a presidential commission of inquiry instituted by the former president Joyce Banda established that the student was murdered.
The opposition and civil society groups have implicated Jose as one of the persons who masterminded the murder.
But speaking at Police headquarters in Lilongwe to reporters, Jose challenged anyone with evidence to take him to court, claiming “my conscious is very clear.”
“The first witness that I never had a hand in Chasowa’s death is God. The second witness is the spirit of Chasowa itself,” said Jose.
He, however, confessed that he worked with Chasowa “but on a professional level.”
Human rights campaigner and governance commentator Makhumbo Munthali said it is good that Jose has finally come out of his cocoon to publicly clear his name in the midst of allegations of his possible involvement in the Chasowa murder.
However, Munthali said such a confession does not do much in clearing his name in the alleged act “particularly in the absence of conclusion to the investigations into the matter.”
He said: “Nevertheless, his confession can still help investigators to probe more on the matter.
“For instance, while denying of being part and parcel of the murder of Chasowa, Jose acknowledges of having a professional working relationship with Chasowa. What ‘professional working’ was there between him and Chasowa? How professional was that professional working?”
Munthali also queried the objectives of such a “professional working” between the top cop and the student.
Law expert Edge Kanyongo has however observed that by virtue of his confirmation as top cop, it would be difficult for Jose to investigate himself.
And the governance expert said this might as well be an end of seven years quest for justice on Chasowa murder.
In April this year, civil society organisations (CSOs) held nationwide demonstrations and presented a petition to President Peter Mutharika on various issues, including the reversing of Jose’s appointment.
One of the CSOs leaders Gift Trapence said the IG confirmation is bad for democracy.
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Bwana Jose, Pakuti makolo athu adati: Utsi sungafuke popanda moto. You would have first paved way for proper investigations by resigning like what happens in developed western countries whenever once name is suspected of wrong action. Prove that you really did not kill Chasowa.
The police had indicated the death of Chasowa as suicide under Jose as Commissioner for the South, how come he has used the word “Murder” when according to him and Police, the death was suicide?
It’s just an act of desperation trying to ‘save his face’. The man can definitely not pass the lie-detective test at all. His facial and general body language reflected a man who had worked very hard and rehearsed for the cameras and/ stage performance. However, his real physical cues were not consistent with what was coming from his own mouth. A sign of deception.
SHAME on THUGS!!!
Professor Kanyongolo has said it all. There is no way Jose can investigate himself or his junior staff investigate him. Secondly, Chasowa’s death was already investigated by the commission of enquiry led by Justice Nyirenda. No need for further investigation. No matter what Jose says or he tries to use the name of GOD, he had a hand in the killing of Chasowa. which God are you talking about? ALL the MPs who confirmed Jose lack integrity just as APM also lacks integrity. Jose says if anyone has evidence he has to take him to court, just wait for DIPIPI… Read more »
Spot on my brother that shows you are a true loving Malawian
Bisalani padziko la pansi lino. Kumwamba kulibe ushasha. Neither is there collusion to defeat justice in heaven
A Joze chibwana sapanga ndi Mulungu.
CSOs please, stop wasting your time (and ours). Jose is IG you need to understand that. Your campiagn failed to stop parliament from confirming him. It’s time you shut up.
CSOs are not wasting time. They can go to court. In South Africa the court overturn the appointment Menzi Semelani in 2009 as NPA boss. The DA went to court to object to the appointment because he was NOT fit to hold office. The applies to Jose. He is NOT fit to hold office on the basis of his links to the murder of Chasowa. He should be cleared first by the court. I would strongly urge SCOs to approach the court on this. There is separation of powers in Malawi, so parliament is not the final authority. The decision… Read more »
That is being stupid and passive like your MP’s
The Jose did not kill Chasowa but worked with him professionally and you say that working itself should be probed. I dont support Jose but I think that is going too far,
The issue is that Jose is complicity in the killing of Chasowa NOT that he personally killed him.
Working with him over what?
Now as police and you as Inspector General what are you going to do about this unresolved murder case? It is the duty of police to investigate crime. Why is it that Malawi Police is not willing to work on this case?