Chaos at Rab Processors following worker’s ‘suicide’
There were running battles between some Rab Processors Limited employees and police officers at Maselema, Blantyre, following the death of a worker who is suspected to have committed suicide.
The deceased, Vincent Chiphwanya, is suspected to have committed suicide after he was summoned for a disciplinary hearing.
Sources told The Daily Times that the deceased was working during a night shift when he was allegedly caught by a security guard with a handful of powdered milk which he wanted to use for making a cup of tea.
The matter was later reported to his boss, who is believed to have summoned Chiphwanya to a disciplinary hearing the next day.
According to an eye-witness, following the communication, the deceased disappeared only to be discovered dead while hanging from a metal bar rested between two heavy duty containers within the premises.
Wednesday morning, irate workers protested within the company’s premises in Blantyre by burning tyres and chasing away some bosses who tried to calm down the situation.
Police were called to quell the situation by firing teargas canisters to disperse the employees.
Meanwhile, Limbe Police deputy spokesperson, Widson Nhlane, said they were investigating the issue.
Rab Processors Limited General Manager (Human Resources), Roy Chirwa, said although it was believed that Chiphwanya committed suicide, the reasons for suicide were not established.
Chirwa assured the general public that order has been restored and normal business has resumed.
“We have also noted with concern that there are various rumours and posts being circulated on social media which are far from the facts. We request the general public to exercise caution when reading/ listening to these posts,” Chirwa said in a statement.
The 41-year-old Chiphwanya hailed from Samuti Village, Traditional Authority Chimaliro, Thyolo District.
Mathews Kasanda is a journalist who holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from University of Malawi (The Polytechnic).
In 2015, Media Institute of Southern Africa awarded him the Best Print Media Education Journalist of the Year accolade.
He joined Times Group Newsroom in September 2019.
