Irate Mob Sets Suspected Thief Ablaze in Nsanje

Malawi-An angry mob in the area of Senior Chief Chimombo in Nsanje set ablaze a man suspected to be a thief in the early hours of Tuesday, writes Cornelius Lupenga.

The deceased has been identified as Paul Boniface of Mkuziwaduka in the area of Traditional Authority Ngabu in Nsanje.

Senior Chief Chimombo confirmed the death of the suspect and said that the communities are tired of people who are retarding development in the area, district, and country as a whole by stealing other people's properties.

"These thugs sometimes even kill the owners of properties," he said, adding that this is a great loss to society.

The senior traditional leader said the suspect wanted to steal from a shop but was intercepted by the mob, which beat him up and set him ablaze.

The body of Paul Boniface was found lying near Nyachipere river.

This incident follows unidentified people who last week attempted to steal from a certain shop but were chased away; hence, the communities mobilized themselves to be on full alert.

There was no immediate comment from the police spokesperson for Nsanje District Sub-Inspector Agnes Zalakoma.