Night patrol turns tragic, chaotic at Makanjila  

Tipsy revellers. Liquor and live tv football at centre stage. Cops on scene, order closure. Scuffle. Gunshot. Death!

This is how a night of merry in Mpiripiri village, traditional authority Makanjila in Mangochi spiralled into chaos. Twenty-five-year-old Peter Davie”s death during a routine police patrol triggered outrage and violence in the community.

Makanjila, a remote area 101 kilometers from Mangochi Boma, has long been plagued by disputes between local villagers and Mozambican nationals over border issues. Unemployment, especially among the youth, has left many idle, exacerbating tensions in the area. Yes, when Davie was shot dead, some people found an occupation.

Fatal Encounter

On Saturday night, as football fans gathered to watch a match between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, tensions flared when a team of police officers on patrol ordered local bars and viewing centers to close.

An eye witness (on condition of anonymity) recounts what happened.

“The police officers fired warning shots when attendees protested the closure.”

“Davie was watching football with us. He decided to take his motorcycle towards the police, thinking he was safe. That’s when one of the officers shot him in the stomach,” said a 45-year-old eye witness .

Despite being rushed to Makanjira Health Centre, Davie was pronounced dead on arrival. The news of his death incited demonstrations, with villagers expressing anger over what they called unjustified police actions.

Allegations of Misconduct

Another witness, a 35-year-old man, alleged that Officer Dickson Benedicto, who was in charge of the patrol, ordered the shooting. “The officer who shot him is short, but I can recognize Benedicto, who gave the order,” he said.

The villagers questioned the presence of police officers in an area typically patrolled by community policing units.

A third witness, 37-year-old Prince Bernard, claimed the patrol was motivated by reports of Congolese nationals involved in illegal mining at Kalandamu at Namizimu Forest. “Instead of going to the lodge where the Congolese were reportedly staying, they went to the bar and caused chaos,” Bernard said, adding that the officers appeared more interested in exploiting the situation than ensuring security.

A Community in Turmoil

Senior Chief Makanjila condemned the killing, describing Davie as an “innocent boy” whose potential contributions to the community were cut short. “The police should have handled the situation better. I urge my community to remain calm as authorities investigate,” the chief appealed.

However, tensions remained high, with villagers destroying police property in retaliation. BAD!

Official Responses

Mangochi Police spokesperson Amina Tepani Daudi referred our inquiries to Eastern Region Police Public Relations Officer Patrick Mussa, who requested time to complete investigations.

Meanwhile, a police officer who fled the scene admitted, “This happened because of a lack of professionalism. They should have arrested him instead of shooting. Now we are on the run, and our properties have been destroyed.”

Expert Weighs In

Security expert Chimwemwe Tsitsi criticized the excessive use of force.

“Police officers must avoid taking harsh actions, especially in cases of misunderstandings. If they felt threatened, they could have incapacitated him without killing him,” he said.

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