Police in Nsanje have launched a man hunt for unknown thugs who allegedly murdered a 79-year-old watchman over the weekend and chopped off his head and private parts.

Nsanje Police Assistant Commissioner Mr. Kaonga confirmed of the development in an interview with the press and identified the deceased as Gabriel Yohane.

Kaonga said the victim who was working as a guard at Mr Richard Elias maize mill in the district was murdered while on duty in the wee hours of Saturday.

According to Kaonga, the deceased body was discovered few mettres from the crime scene in pull of blood.

Yohane hails from Nambwe village in the area of chief Malemia.