Unknown people have killed a motorist by strangling him to death in Balaka, Balaka Police Station Public Relations Officer Inspector Felix Misomali has confirmed.

In a police report, Misomali identified the deceased as James Manjombe (25) who was found dead in the early hours of Thursday, September 3, along Khwisa-Binon earth road in Balaka.

According to Misomali, the late Manjombe is suspected to have been strangled to death by unknown criminals between the night of September 2-3 at Tembo Village in the area of Senior Chief Sawali along the said earth road.

“His brother, Sylvester Joseph, 31, said Manjombe left home on September 2 for his motorcycle taxi business, but he did not return until the following morning when his body was found tied on the neck with rope (linya). The assailants are suspected to have robbed him both his motorcycle and his cellphone, ” said Misomali.

Postmortem conducted by Balaka District Hospital personnel has revealed asphyxia as cause of death secondary to strangulation.

Police have therefore launched manhunt for the suspects behind his death.

James Manjombe hailed from Anderson Village, Senior Chief Sawali in Balaka.

Following this, police have advised all taxi operators to ply their businesses during normal working hours to avoid occurrence of these deaths.