A South African man has been shot dead in the Northern District of Karonga and robbed cash of 200 thousand US Dollars by unknown thugs.

Police in Karonga have confirmed of the development, saying the incident happened at Mufwa Lodge in the wee hours of Friday in the district.

According to the source, the victim met his fate as he was trying to rescue his female colleague who was screaming in the other tent when the thugs went in.

He said the armed thugs who were three in number first shot in the air to scare the guards and everyone one from rushing to the scene before gunning down the deceased.

The deceased who was in accompany of two other tourist is said to have been on holiday in the district.

Meanwhile Police have launched a man hunt for the suspected armed thugs.