By Christopher Miti
Police in Chipangali District have apprehended three suspects in connection with the murder of a referee at Mchenga Primary School ground in Chief Mafuta on Thursday.
Donald Tonga of Madalitso Farms, Chief Mafuta was beaten to death by players and supporters of Mikango United Football Club for alleged poor officiating in a match against Leopard FC.
Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba said all the suspects are from Raban village Chief Mshawa.
He said the suspects went into hiding and were apprehended around 19:00 hours yesterday.
Mr Mweemba said the suspects are in custody while the search for other suspects that are still in hiding has intensified.
And Chipangali Member of Parliament Andrew Lubusha has clarified that he is not the sponsor of the community soccer tournament in Msandire ward where the referee was beaten to death.
Mr Lubusha said the tournament was organized by the local people and that he only gave them supplementary support of match balls and K5000.
He said the tournament was never organized, owned, or branded by him indicating that the last tournament he organized was the K200 000 rich tournament which ended in January this year
Mr Lubusha said the beating to death of the referee is regrettable and unacceptable.
He said violence has no place in sports, adding that such acts threaten the unity, discipline, and peace that sporting activities are meant to promote.
ZNBC