A Malawi Defence Force (MDF) soldier is battling for his life at Queen Elizabeth Central (QECH) in the commercial capital Blantyre after being attacked by angry villagers during a fracas that erupted in Mulanje Mountain.

It is said that MDF soldiers manning Mulanje Mountain shot a man cultivating close to the protected area.

The development did not please the villagers who ganged up against the soldiers and they managed to get hold of one of them whom they nearly beat to death before police officers from Muloza station came to his rescue.

The Police officers then took the MDF soldier to Mulanje District Hospital for treatment.

After examining the victims, health officials from Mulanje District Hospital referred the MDF soldier whose identity is not yet known to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre.

Meanwhile unconfirmed reports indicate that the victim has sustained deep cuts on his body and is in critical condition.