Deputy Inspector General of Police Noel Kaira is once again under intense scrutiny after the family of a 21-year-old man allegedly shot dead by the senior police officer six years ago formally demanded compensation and a full explanation of the circumstances surrounding his death.
The development comes amid reports that a key Criminal Investigations Department (CID) file linked to the case has gone missing, reigniting public concern over a matter that has never been brought before the courts despite investigations reportedly being completed years ago.
A statutory demand notice dated May 27, 2026, filed by Mambulasa & Co. Advocates on behalf of the family of the late Govati Joseph, has been served on the Attorney General seeking damages for breach of constitutional rights, breach of statutory duty, professional negligence, loss of dependency, loss of expectation of life, emotional distress and legal costs.
According to the notice, Govati, a resident of Area 49 in Lilongwe, was fatally shot on September 27, 2020, after responding to a neighbour’s call for help following an alleged attack by thieves.
The family’s lawyers state that after assisting his neighbour, Govati was walking back to his home when he was allegedly shot from behind by Kaira.
The bullet reportedly entered below his shoulder blade and exited through his chest, causing fatal injuries.
The family insists that Govati was unarmed and posed no threat at the time he was shot.
“The fact that Govati Joseph was shot at the back demonstrates that he did not pose any threat or danger,” reads part of the notice.
Lawyers representing the family argue that the shooting amounted to a breach of constitutional and statutory duties expected of a police officer entrusted with protecting citizens.
The family is demanding compensation on the grounds that Govati left behind a widow, a young son and his mother, all of whom depended on him for survival.
According to information reportedly submitted to the Attorney General’s office, relatives are also demanding a full explanation of what transpired on the night of the shooting, saying they have never been told the truth about how Govati died.
Family members claim that Govati’s mother was initially informed that her son had died in an accident and was not given details regarding the shooting.
They further allege that plain-clothed police officers were sent to the family’s village shortly after the incident to intimidate mourners and pressure relatives into accepting the burial without asking questions.
The family also claims that Kaira personally visited the village and financed the construction of a tombstone just three months after the burial, a move relatives say surprised many community members because tombstones are traditionally erected much later.
Relatives further allege that Kaira later invited Govati’s mother to Lilongwe, where she was allegedly given a small amount of money.
However, they argue that the gesture fell far short of addressing the family’s loss.
The family has also raised concerns about alleged efforts to suppress inquiries into the case.
According to relatives, Kaira has continued providing money and groceries to the deceased’s elder brother, who lives in Mitundu and is allegedly used to discourage discussions about the case.
The family further claims that anyone showing interest in pursuing the matter, including relatives and traditional leaders, has faced intimidation.
Some family members also allege that several lawyers previously engaged to pursue compensation eventually abandoned the case under unclear circumstances.
The latest demands come as pressure continues to mount over reports that a crucial CID file connected to the shooting has disappeared.
Sources within the Malawi Police Service claim the file went missing shortly after renewed calls for the matter to be prosecuted, raising questions about whether evidence may have been tampered with or removed.
Police insiders have previously indicated that investigators who handled the case reportedly concluded that the circumstances surrounding the shooting warranted criminal prosecution.
However, despite the passage of six years, no court proceedings have commenced.
The disappearance of the file has intensified calls from legal experts, civil society organisations and the victim’s family for transparency and accountability.
Questions are also being raised about why the case has remained unresolved for so long and whether due process was followed during the original investigation.
The statutory demand notice gives the Attorney General’s office 90 days to indicate how it intends to resolve the family’s claim, failing which legal proceedings may be commenced.
By press time, neither Kaira nor the Malawi Police Service had publicly responded to the allegations.
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