Mob kills 2 for alleged cattle theft

Two men suspected of being cattle rustlers have been killed by a mob in Chikwawa district.

According to Chikwawa Police Public Relations Officer Sergeant Dickson Matemba, the deceased, identified as Amasi Mazika and Mavuto Makiyi from Traditional Authority Ngabu, were allegedly involved in the theft of three cattle from two farmers on January 7, 2024.

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“The two suspects remained unseen in the village until January 10, 2024, when the community caught them and agreed to take them to Nchalo Police Post, but while on their way, the mob assaulted the suspects and later burnt them to death,” said Matemba.

He added that a report on the matter was filed at Nchalo Police Post, prompting the Criminal Investigations Department to respond.

The post-mortem conducted at Nchalo Health Center revealed that the cause of death was severe burn wounds.

Matemba added that police are intensifying their investigations, and they will hold accountable those involved in the barbaric acts.

Meanwhile, police have condemned the behaviour of taking the law into own hands.

The incident occurred at a time when many farmers in Chikwawa are expressing concerns about the rising number of missing cattle.

Mazika, 35, hailed from Ndaluza Village, while Makiyi, 30, was from Mphungo Village, both under Traditional Authority Ngabu in Chikwawa district.