A 42 year old police officer in Chikwawa stationed at Mitole Police Mobile Service has been arrested and charged with alleged torture of a suspect during an arrest which resulted into the removal of his left eye.

District’s Police Officer-In-Charge, Assistant Commissioner, Francis Chisaka confirmed the arrest of the policer officer who has been identified as Sub Inspector Benson Phiri and the injured suspect as Domingo Mzungu.

According to reports, the suspect was allegedly found in a minibus in possession of empty jerry cans, which the officer suspected would be used to commit crime at canal construction site under Shire Valley Transformation Program.

“In the process of exchanging blows, the officer hit the victim on the eye causing severe injuries in the process. The eye has since been removed by medics,” said Chisaka.

The district police chief has since urged police officers to be professional and desist from using excessive force when dealing with unarmed citizens, warning that he will not shield any officers found flouting work guidelines.

The police department has also stated that they have zero tolerance for any kind of abuse of power or violation of an individual’s civil rights and will take action accordingly.