A 39-year-old man is in police custody in Rumphi for allegedly murdering Macrean Mpoto over land dispute.

Police have confirmed of the development in a statement made available to FaceofMalawi and identified the suspect as Innocent Nyirenda.

According to the statement, the family of the deceased and that of the suspects were in disagreement over land.

“Recently Nyirenda together with other family members went to the land in question armed with axes, hoes and thorny sticks and started assaulting the deceased together with other family members who were on that farm,” read in part the statement.

Adds the statement: “Five of the victims were taken to Rumphi District Hospital where they were admitted. The other four were discharged but Mpoto remained in hospital until he breathed his last breath.”

Postmortem results conducted at Rumphi District Hospital revealed that death was due to head injury.

Nyirenda has since been charged with murder.

Meanwhile Police have launched a manhunt for other suspects in connection to the incident.