Six police officers jailed for Buleya Lule murder

By Cathy Maulidi:

The Lilongwe High Court was a scene of mixed emotions yesterday as Justice Chifundo Kachale delivered sentences to six police officers convicted of the murder of Buleya Lule, a suspect who died while in police custody in 2019.

The verdict saw varying sentences handed down to the officers who were found guilty of murdering Lule.

Paul Chipole, deemed the principal offender, received a 20-year jail term while Ikram Malata, the second convict, was sentenced to 18 years for his role in the murder.

The remaining four officers, Richard Kalawire, Innocent Wanda, Maxwell Mbidzi and Abel Maseya were each sentenced to 15 years imprisonment.

“The court recognises the sanctity of human life and the responsibility entrusted to law enforcement officers,” said Kachale in his judgement.

“The actions of the convicted officers represent a gross betrayal of public trust and a severe violation of the law,” he said.

Late Buleya’s sister Annie Lule said she was happy that justice has been served.

“It has been years of waiting for justice. The Lule family is satisfied that finally, justice has been done. At the same time, we are sad as this day brings back memories of our brother who died a painful death,” she said.

Lead defence lawyer, Lugamo Mwabutwa, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision.

“The offence of murder is a very serious offence and it attracts a death sentence but today the court has opted for a custodial sentence. We believe the court has done that following the mitigating factors we gave,” he said.

However, state prosecutor, Dzikondianthu Malunda, said their initial desire was for harsher penalties.

“We have mixed emotions; happy that justice has been done for the Lule family. The sentence is satisfactory when you look at the mitigating factors.

“At the same time, we are sad, first because a life was lost and secondly because the convicts were topnotch officers in law enforcement,” Malunda said.

Police arrested Lule on suspicion of abduction of an albino boy in Dedza. He died in their custody.