By Chisomo Phiri

Police in Lilongwe are keeping in custody three family members for allegedly killing Moffat Kamunthu, 39, and seriously wounding other deceased family members over land dispute at Maliseni Village.

The incident happened on June 24, 2023.

Lilongwe Police Station Public Relations Officer Hastings Chigalu has identified the three suspects as Marko Kambiya, 41, Innocent Kambiya, 20, and Bernard Kambiya, 19.

According to Chigalu, both sides are related (cousins), and that they have been locked into land wrangles for a considerable time.

When the issue was brought before Senior Village Headman Nsabwe, it was resolved in favour of the bereaved family.

Dissatisfied with the first judgement, the issue was taken to the other group village headman on June 24, 2023 whose verdict was similar with the initial judgement.

He also advised them to appeal the judgement to Traditional Authority Chadza if not satisfied.

However, not pleased again with the outcome,
on the stated day at around 19:00 hours, the suspects attacked a child from the bereaved family who was coming back from a shop he was sent by his parents.

The development forced the child’s parents to go for a rescue of the boy who fell down in agony after being stoned on the neck.

In the heat of the fracas, suspect(s) hacked a brother to the deceased on the head with panga knife.

Unfortunately, when other family members managed to escape the scene, Moffat (deceased) did not make it.

He was beaten until he became unconscious.

He was later rushed to Mitundu Health Centre, where his death was pronounced upon arrival.

Moffat Kamunthu (deceased) hailed from Maliseni Village, whilst the suspects hail from Galeta Village, all in Traditional Authority(TA) Kalumbu in Lilongwe District.

Meanwhile, police is still waiting for postmortem results from Kamuzu Central Hospital where dead body was taken to for the same.