By Rahim Abdul
Police in Lilongwe have launched a manhunt for a murder suspect while also investigating an arson attack in which seven houses were torched by angry villagers following a fatal stabbing incident in Nathenje.
Lilongwe Police Public Relations Officer, Inspector Hastings Chigalu, said the incident occurred on Sunday evening at around 7:00 p.m. in Pitros Village under Traditional Authority Mazengera. The suspect, identified as Nimiladi Chinjani, is accused of fatally stabbing 23-year-old Jabesi Hendreson before fleeing the scene.
According to preliminary police investigations, the suspect and the deceased were chatting with other villagers at a local shop when a misunderstanding escalated into a violent fight. Members of the public intervened and managed to separate the two men.
Police say Chinjani allegedly returned to his home, armed himself with a knife and came back to the shop where he stabbed Hendreson once in the chest before escaping.
The victim collapsed after sustaining the injury and was rushed to Nkhoma Mission Hospital. However, he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Following confirmation of Hendreson’s death, angry villagers reportedly stormed the suspect’s family compound and set seven houses on fire. Various household items were also destroyed, although the value of the damaged property has not yet been established.
Police have since opened separate investigations into the arson attack and are working to identify and arrest those responsible for destroying the property.
The deceased’s body is being kept at Nkhoma Mission Hospital awaiting a postmortem examination, while efforts to trace and arrest the murder suspect are continuing.
Police said the suspect hails from Pitros Village, while the deceased was from nearby Nyangayabira Village, both under Traditional Authority Mazengera in Lilongwe District.
Meanwhile, Inspector Chigalu has strongly condemned the acts of mob justice, reminding members of the public that taking the law into their own hands is a criminal offence. He urged communities to report suspected offenders to the police and allow the justice system to take its course.
