Malawi University Students protest Death of Colleague

Students from the University of Malawi's Polytechnic on Friday marched through Blantyre's Chipembele Highway to protest the death of
their colleague earlier in the morning.

Faikizo Phiri, a third year bachelor of education student, died of
gunshot wounds he sustained when the police went to quell a student
protest on Tuesday.

Faikizo's death comes barely three weeks after a popular local
musician, Evison Matafale, died while in police custody.

The polytechnic students have declared Friday a day of mourning
and protest.

After being shot on Tuesday, Phiri was transferred to the Queen
Elizabeth Central Hospital where he was initially reported to be in a
stable condition.

But hospital officials stopped giving information about his condition
to the press on Thursday. Only the hospital's administrator Kelita
Kamoto could comment on the student's condition.

At the close of the day Thursday, Kamoto reported that Phiri was
still in the intensive care unit, adding that he was out of danger.

Shortly after his death became known Friday morning, the Polytechnic
students converged at the administration building.

They later spilled out in rage and blocked Chipembele Highway for
over 30 minutes, forcing motorists to take longer routes to get to
their work.

Meanwhile an eyewitness said that many shops and offices in Zomba
were still closed after being vandalised between Tuesday and Thursday
by students and residents protesting against police brutality.

Lecturers and staff at Zomba's Chancellor College campus have been
advised to stay away from the campus.

PanAfrican News Agency
December 14, 2001
Blantyre Malawi