Shot During Protests, Forgotten After: Victims Families’ Demand Justice

Almost 8 months have passed after a 20 year old Grant Rajab Phiri of Chiwaula Village in Traditional Authority Malengachanzi in Nkhotakota district was allegedly shot dead by Police after it allegedly opened fire to disperse a demonstrating crowed.

His family says they are still waiting for answers. No post-mortem report has been provided to the family, no official response has been given to their requests and no compensation has been paid yet.

All this stemmed to events occurred on 23 January last year. A land dispute between two business tycoons at Nkhotakota Boma Market sparked demonstrations.

The situation began with protesters setting fire to objects on the M5 Road and blocking the passage of vehicles, attracting the attention of the police.

Police officers were deployed to disperse the crowd, which had started pelting stones and damaging other people’s shops.

As the situation escalated, police fired tear gas and later allegedly used live ammunition.

One of the bullets allegedly struck a 20-year-old Grant Rajab Phiri of Chiwaula Village in the area of Traditional Authority Malengachanzi in the district. He was taken to Nkhotakota District Hospital, where he was confirmed dead.

Rajab was a young man with his whole life ahead of him. His death has left his family grieving and seeking answers.

Rajab Phiri’s grandfather Nasibu Chiluma said he is still struggling to come to terms with the death of his grandchild. He said the most painful part is that the family has not been provided with post-mortem results to date.

He said without the results, the family cannot establish the official cause of death or fully understand the circumstances surrounding Rajab’s death.

“My grandson was shot to death earlier this year and as a family we are still failing to proceed with the illegal proceedings. We have not received post-mortem results regarding the death until now,” Nasibu Said.

Chiluma, Rajab's grand father.

Chiluma told Umunthu FM that, with the help of a group called Concerned Citizens in Public Interest for Common Good, the family formally wrote to Nkhotakota Police Station, Nkhotakota District Hospital and the District Commissioner’s Office, demanding the release of the post-mortem results and an explanation of circumstances surrounding Rajab’s death.

He said the efforts have so far proved futile.

“Through the concerned citizens of Nkhotakota, we formally wrote to authorities but nothing tangible” He Stated.

One of the members of Concerned Citizens in Public Interest for Common Good, Reverend Father Dennis Maxwell Kayamba, confirmed that the group wrote and delivered the letters to the three offices on 25 June 2026.

Kayamba said no tangible response had been received from the offices.

Father Kayamba in black suit during a press briefing the grouping held.

He Said, “We indeed issued formal letters to the authorities probing for justice on the matter.”

“Up-to-date no tangible results have come through us and we are wondering,” Kayamba added.

The Concerned Citizens group and the family claimed they have copies of the letters and proof of delivery.

However, Garry Chilinga, District Health Promotion Officer at Nkhotakota District Health Office, said it was his first time seeing the letter when approached by Umunthu FM.

“Would you please allow me to find out because this is my first time hearing the news concerning the letters,” Chilinga Answered.

"Gally Chilinga, Nkhotakota district health promotion officer."

Under Malawi’s Inquests Act, post-mortem examinations may be conducted to establish the cause and circumstances of death, with the findings documented in a written report.

This raises questions about whether a post-mortem was conducted on Rajab Phiri, who received the findings and why the family has not been provided with the report.

But Rajab was not the only person injured during the police response.

Umunthu FM also spoke to another man, Grant Longwe who said his 17-year-old son was sitting at the shop where he worked during the period of protests when he was hit by what he described as a bullet.

“My son was shot too on the day. He still has a bullet lodged in his body and sometimes it makes him easily agitated due to pain,” Longwe Said.

He further said health officials later told him that the object was a rubber bullet. However, Umunthu FM could not independently establish the type of ammunition that injured the young boy during the period of publishing.

His account, however, raises questions about the type of ammunition used during the police operation.

We contacted Nkhotakota Police Station for its response. Its Public Relations Officer, Chisomo Chuma, referred us to Malawi Police Headquarters in Lilongwe.

"Sergeant Chuma"

“I cannot comment because the issue is being handled by the Police Headquarters,” Chuma Said.

Our efforts to obtain a response from Police Headquarters proved futile by the time of publishing this article.

The Independent Complaints Commission, ICC, is mandated under the Police Act to investigate deaths and injuries resulting from police action.

Umunthu FM understands that the Commission visited Nkhotakota to investigate the incident.

Its Public Relations Officer, Happy Njalammano, while not clearly stating the case number, confirmed that a file was opened to investigate the circumstances surrounding Rajab Phiri’s death.

"Njalam'mano, ICC, Public Relations Officer."

He said investigations are still ongoing.

“You know such investigations take time. We came and interacted with some people, but there are still a few more to consult before we release the official report on the case,” Njalammano stated.

Umunthu FM also asked police what type of ammunition was issued to officers deployed during the demonstrations and whether any firearms or ammunition were examined as part of the investigation.

Police had not responded by the time of publishing this article.

Health expert Dr Bridget Malewezi said the delay in obtaining the post-mortem findings raises concern.

Malewezi Said, “It is disappointing that the family is yet to receive the official results. But such results are supposed to take some weeks or even a month.”

"Dr Bridget Malewezi"

“Off course, it depends on the post-mortem process, as some samples are sent to other countries for further scrutiny,” She added.

The incident followed a land dispute. Nkhotakota has recorded other land-related conflicts this year, including an incident at Traditional Authority Mwadzama where a house belonging to a chief was reportedly burnt, and another at Nkhunga where another person reportedly lost his life.

For the public, such incidents may soon fade from memory. But for affected families, the pain remains.

For Nasibu Chiluma and his family, the questions are simple: What happened to Grant Rajab Phiri, what type of ammunition was used, and who is responsible?

Almost eight months later, the ICC investigation is still ongoing, while the police are yet to respond to Umunthu FM’s questions.

Until the authorities provide clarity on what happened on 23 January 2026, Rajab’s family will continue waiting for answers. But when and who will deliver such justice?