A 27-year-old man in Sinda District, Eastern Province has died from injuries inflicted by his older brother following a dispute that began at Gulewamkulu shrine called Liunde.
Isaac Mwale succumbed to head wounds at St. Francis Mission Hospital, a day after being struck with a stick by his 29-year-old brother, Sinoya Banda, in their village.
Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba has told Diamond news that the altercation originated on the evening of December 20 during Gulewamkulu dance, a gathering for the Nyau dance, a potent cultural and spiritual tradition among the Chewa people.
The two brothers, residents of Pandala Village began quarreling at the event, prompting the younger Mwale to return home.
His departure did not end the matter. A group of approximately five Nyau dancers followed him, intending to bring him back to the ceremony, but were persuaded to leave by the intervention of his mother, Lontiya Mwanza.
The situation escalated significantly when the group returned, this time accompanied by the elder brother, Sinoya Banda.
Upon reaching the family home, Mr. Banda began physically assaulting Mr. Mwale.
Bystanders intervened, but in a fateful decision, they restrained only the victim, Mwale, from fighting back.
Seizing an opportunity, Mr. Banda retrieved a stick. When the onlookers saw the weapon, they released Mr. Mwale and fled the scene.
Mr. Banda then delivered a forceful blow to his brother’s forehead, causing him to collapse with a severe and disfiguring injury.
The victim lost consciousness for roughly fifteen minutes.
After regaining awareness, he was transported for medical help at the Chaitaika Rural Health Center.
He was subsequently referred to Nyanje Mission Hospital and then onwards to St. Francis Mission Hospital for advanced care.
Despite treatment, Isaac Mwale died at approximately 14 hours on December 21.
Police have detained Sinoya Banda, who remains in custody awaiting formal murder charges.
The body of Isaac Mwale has been placed in the mortuary at St. Francis Mission Hospital pending a post-mortem examination to formally determine the exact cause of death.
By Samuel Khwawe
