Refugees Died of Suffocation-Pathologist Tells Judge

As the state continues parading its 14 witnesses in the murder of refugees, Pathologist Professor George Liomba has told Mzuzu High Court that his autopsy found that the 30 people died due to suffocation.

The bodies of the refugees were found in a mass grave in Mtangatanga Forest in Mzimba district and the son of former first lady Getrude Mutharika, Tadikira Mafudza is among the 8 suspects in the case

The other seven are Samuel Navaya, David Luhanga, Thomas Kazembe, Duncan Kalulu, Boniface Ngulube, Aubrey Dukes and Arnold Mwakiyelu.

Liomba told the court that they detected neither organic disease among the deceased nor physical trauma.

A police officer from Mzimba Police Station Mukumbwa who was among the first police officers to visit the mass grave has told the court that he suspects the 30 did not die a natural death.

Mukumbwa tendered various objects which he picked at the grave as evidence such as motor vehicle piece of metal, a deposit slip from an Ethiopian Bank, two Identity cards in Arabic language, documents bearing foreign phone numbers and a wrist watch

Mukumbwa told Judge Gladys Gondwe that he said was not sure whether the bodies were brought in the forest dead or alive.

The case has been adjourned to November 28-30 this year for continuation of hearing but the court will convene tomorrow for hearing of bail application for Aubrey Dukes and Arnold Mwakiyelo, who were arrested last month.