By Rahim Abdul
Angry villagers in Benjamini Village under Traditional Authority Symon in Neno District have burned a Hijet pick-up vehicle belonging to a man they suspected of stealing livestock.
The incident followed allegations that the man, together with his accomplice, had stolen cattle valued at K4 million as well as goats.
Neno Police spokesperson Rebecca Msoliza identified the two suspects as Chester Chigadula, aged 25, and Emmanuel Kameta, aged 39, both from Kasamba Village in the district.
According to Msoliza, the incident occurred yesterday around 5 PM when villagers intercepted the vehicle, registration number NN11635, carrying one cow and goats.
The situation intensified when the owner of the cow rushed to the scene and confirmed that the animal belonged to him.
This confirmation angered the villagers, who reacted by setting the vehicle on fire.
When questioned by police, Kameta, who owns the vehicle, said he had hired it out and was not aware of any theft.
On the other hand, Chigadula claimed that he had been invited by another man, identified as Eliya Chizula, to help purchase the livestock.
Police have since launched a search for Chizula, who is currently on the run.
Meanwhile, the two suspects are being held at Zalewa Police Station as investigations continue.
Police say the suspects will appear in court soon to answer charges of livestock theft.
The incident has raised concerns over mob justice, as communities continue to take the law into their own hands instead of allowing legal processes to take place.
