By Mohamed Habib Charm.
Information gathered by this newspaper have revealed that Mr. Edward Kafo Mandewa, formerly of the Thunder Hill community in Kissy, in the eastern part of Freetown is now on the run fearing for the safety of his life after he was declared wanted by the Sierra Leone Police on allegations that he was engaged in subversive activities and incitement against the Government of Sierra Leone.
The reports further stated that Edward is also being pursued by irate anti lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) activists because they claim that he is a homosexual, a sexual activity that is not accepted in this country and which the community people consider as an abomination, insisting that those involved in such an unnatural sexual activity must be killed in order to cleanse the land of such a curse.
A source who lives in the community told this Reporter that both the community people and the LGBTQ activists have been looking for opportunities to kill Edward and cleanse the land of what they referred to as, “this unforgivable abomination”.
He also disclosed that Edward was also being pursued by both the Police and members of the ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) because of his political activities as a member of the main opposition All Peoples Congress (APC).
He revealed that Edward has been very active in organizing rallies and protests against the ruling SLPP.
He revealed that Edward has been a youth activist for the APC and he goes all over the country to organize young people to rise and protest against the Government and to use all their resources to remove the government from power.
He explained that very recently Edward was reportedly involved in inciting some young people to go on the streets and attack government people, SLPP members and government property in Waterloo near Freetown, an action that led to bloody confrontations between the APC and SLPP members, leaving at least two people dead and scores of others wounded.
He explained that the Police declared him wanted and the search for him continues all over the country.
When this Reporter requested for him to lead him to Mr. Edward Kafo Mandewa for an interview, he stated that he did not know his whereabouts as after he was declared wanted by the Government, the community people and the LGBTQ activists some time in mid August this year he disappeared from the community and had neither been seen nor heard from since.
He also disclosed that one night Edward’s family house was set on fire in which his younger sister, Miss Seibatu Mandewa died, while the rest of his family members have fled the community.
He also stated that he has information that unidentified people continue to visit the community searching for Edward and making threatening remarks that they will kill him the day they see him.
When this Reporter contacted the Kissy Police Station on the matter, a senior Police Officer told him that they are looking for one Mr Edward Kafo Mandewa who is alleged to have been engaged in subversive activities and incitement against the government.
He revealed that while they are investigating the matter they have put a reward of twenty thousand Leones (Le 20,000.00) for anybody who will give them information that will lead to his arrest.
