Well, well, well. It looks like justice has finally found its way to those so-called “officers of the law” who thought they could get away with cold-blooded murder. Some members of the Malawi Police, who were responsible for the brutal killing of Buleya Lule, will now rot in prison—exactly where they belong.
High Court Judge, Justice Chifundo Kachale, handed down the much-deserved sentences in Lilongwe. Leading the pack, Paul Chipole is set to spend 20 years behind bars, while Ikram Malata will serve 18 years for their roles in Lule’s murder. As for the other four—Richard Kalawire, Innocent Wanda, Maxwell Mbidzi, and Abel Maseya—they can look forward to a solid 15 years each, pondering their life choices from the confines of a cell.
Justice Kachale didn’t mince words. On the second count of causing grievous harm, the judge pointed out that since it led directly to Lule’s death, no separate sentence was needed. So, the punishment fits the crime.
Lead defense lawyer Lugano Mwabutwa tried to put on a brave face, saying they were not “happy with the judgments.” Sure, because what else can you say when your clients are headed for long prison terms? On the other hand, state prosecutor Dzikondianthu Malunda was all smiles, satisfied with the outcome, having proposed exactly these sentences.
