A 31-year-old man, Luke James, has been arrested by the Mponela Police in Dowa for allegedly murdering his friend, Austin Kayera, 35, over a football match dispute.
According to Sergeant Macpatson Msadala, Public Relations Officer for Mponela Police Station, the incident occurred on March 30, 2025, during a football match between Magantha and Changunda at Kabwinja Primary School ground.
When Magantha scored a goal, Kayera celebrated, which provoked Changunda supporters, who chased him. James allegedly hit Kayera on the back of the head with a hoe handle. Kayera later complained of body pains and was taken to Madisi Mission Hospital, then referred to Mtengowanthenga Mission Hospital, and finally to Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe, where he was pronounced dead on March 31, 2025.
A postmortem conducted on April 1, 2025, revealed that Kayera’s death was caused by severe traumatic brain injuries and severe intracranial hemorrhage due to the assault. James will appear in court to face murder charges.
By Andrew Mdzumira
