Police in Blantyre have arrested a security guard for UK Security Company for allegedly murdering businessman Graciam Siliya of Chimwankhunda Dam residential area in the city after being caught stealing maize, bananas and pumpkins in the deceased’s field on Thursday night.
Police have since charged Simon Malemia with murder but the deceased’s family says it plans to take to task the security company. The company has, however, disassociated itself from Malemia’s alleged crime.
A close friend to Siliya, Innocent Mulenga, Sunday said he dropped the deceased—who owned a welding shop in Zingwangwa Township—home at about 8:30 pm on Thursday, only to be called two hours later about his attack a few metres from his house.
He alleged that Malemia was on duty at a nearby house when he abandoned his post to commit the crime. His official clothes were found hung at his place of work and was found in a tattered outfit, specifically for the operation.
Siliya’s widow, Christina, said she heard her husband’s screams from their maize field and later found him struggling with an assailant. She said her husband looked weak and fell several times before losing consciousness.
She claimed Malemia grabbed her throat and aimed for her private parts, assuming she was male, but she managed to free herself as neighbours had joined in and the assailant was eventually overpowered.
Christina said she dragged her husband’s body from a water hole within the field before neighbours carried him to his house.
Mulenga drove Siliya to Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QECH) where he was pronounced dead on arrival due to strangulation.
Malemia was picked from the scene by a UK Security Company vehicle to Soche Police where he is in custody. For the full story please go to the following link:

http://www.nationmw.net/newsdetail.asp?article_id=3048