THE relative of a man who died in a fire says they want the law to take its course.
The relative was speaking outside the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court where four suspects charged with murder were expected to appear on Wednesday.
This comes after Nicholas Swazi, 39, was killed in a suspected arson incident in the Lusaka area near Chatsworth.
“Two men from the area came into my house asking for me to attend a meeting with people who help with police forum work. After that meeting I went back to my house, and I realised there was a fire at a house near mine,” said a relative of Swazi’s who asked not to be named.
He said Swazi had been seen with suspected criminals in the area earlier.
“It was at that moment that it came to me that Nicholas earlier visited that part of the neighbourhood. I went there to quell the fire, during which I recognised my Nicholas’s burnt body lying face down on the charred ground,” he said.
A witness, who did not want to be identified, said prior to the fire, men who were not wielding any weapons were seen conspiring to do something about the rise in crime in the area.
“I knew when I saw them that they were going to deal with the boys who are suspected of crime, and when I saw the fire, I was sure they were involved,” said the witness.
Chatsworth police station communications officer Captain Cheryl Pillay confirmed the charges.
“Chatsworth Serious and Violent Crimes Unit responded to a call of a fire at the Lusaka informal settlement in Moorton, Chatsworth.
“Upon arrival at the scene of crime, police were met with resistance from the community and found a body of man aged 39 in a shack.
“Four suspects aged between 24 and 42 were charged and are expected to appear at the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court on a charge of arson and murder in due course,” said Pillay.
Daily News/ IOL