Following the murder of unknown male person on suspicion that he stole a Sony tv screen at Ching’amba Village, Traditional Authority Chanthunya in Balaka, police have arrested six men and two minors, aged 15 and 17, for allegedly murdering the suspect.
Reports indicate that the suspected thief, in the wee hours of January 30, 2021, broke into the house of one of the villagers in the area and stole the screen.
He was immediately apprehended by the victim with the help of well wishers.
On their way to Kankao Police Unit, angry mob assaulted him severely, and he sustained head injuries and a fractured left leg.
He was pronounced dead upon arrival at Balaka District Hospital due to head injuries and internal bleeding.
Through intelligence driven operation, Balaka police detectives arrested the eight suspects and have since been charged with murder contrary to Section 209 of the Penal Code.
The six suspects are: Matias London, 47, Steven Ngalika, 46, John Machemba, 40, Charles Kapalamula, 33, Yohane Kidney, 23, and Joseph Chaima, 45. The first five come from M’mola Village, Traditional Authority Chanthunya in Balaka while Chaima hails from Zalimu Village, Traditional Authority Nsamala in the district.
Communities are therefore advised to refrain from applying mob justice against any suspect.
