Maula Prison inmates riot
Prisoners at Maula Prison Thursday rioted and assaulted some warders in an apparent protest against the new Officer-in-Charge, eyewitness said Thursday.
Maula Prison spokesperson Donald Mkolongo confirmed the incident but declined to disclose the details of what started the protest.
The atmosphere was still tense when journalists from Times Group arrived at the entrance gate around midday.
A handful of relatives of the inmates sat under a tree, hoping that they would be allowed to see their incarcerated relatives after the situation had calmed down.
Five warders, who were armed with baton sticks, chased and threatened to manhandle the reporters whose only crime was to seek firsthand information from the Officer-in-Charge or the public relations officer on what was behind the riot.
“We’ll deal with you the way we dealt with your MBC [Malawi Broadcasting Corporation] counterparts. Just leave the place. We did not invite you to cover the riot,” fumed one of the warders.
One of the visitors who witnessed the whole fracas told The Daily Times outside the entrance gate that the inmates chanted “achoke! achoke! achoke! [he must leave!]” before they resorted to throwing missiles, particularly stones, at the warders on duty.
The visitor, who failed to deliver a meal to her incarcerated relatio, said an undisclosed number of prison officials sustained injuries in the process.
“We are told they are against the new Officer-in-Charge. The situation became very volatile that prison officials drove all visitors out of the premises,” she explained.
“As I am talking to you now, the food I brought for my relation is still in the hands of the warders at the gate,” she added.
The visitor, who sought anonymity for fear of reprisals, said after minutes of chaos, the warders overpowered and managed to lock the inmates into their cells before noon.
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