Police in Mangochi district are keeping in custody a 38-year-old man, Jackson Zeleson for allegedly murdering a 35-year-old man, Samson Isaac Ndeule after the two fought over a cigarette.

The incident occurred at Malembo Trading Centre.

Police say the two were drinking beer together at one of the bars at the Trading Centre when Ndeule asked Zeleson to share a cigarette, a request that the other person refused.

Then, a quarrel erupted between them resulting into a fight.

The fight was ceased by some good Samaritans at the bar but this did not please Zeleson who later followed Ndeule to his house where they started fighting again.

In course of the fight, Zeleson pushed Ndeule who fell down and became unconscious.

Following the incident, Ndeule was taken to Malembo Health Centre where he was pronounced dead.

The matter was then reported to Monkey-bay Police Station and later the suspect was arrested and is expected to appear before court soon to answer murder charges.