Police in Mzuzu are keeping in custody 22-year-old Paul Phiri for allegedly killing his stepfather, Richard Phiri at Zolozolo Township in the city.

The law enforcers had to rescue the suspect from a mob that wanted to avenge the stepfather’s death.

Mzuzu Police spokesperson Paul Tembo said the suspect is believed to have killed his 50-year-old stepfather on Tuesday after the stepfather and his wife picked a fight.

“The suspect intervened to rescue his mother as the deceased wanted to beat her up with a shovel which landed on the suspect,” said Tembo.

According to the police publicist, Phiri then stabbed his stepfather with a knife on the chest.

He died while receiving treatment at Mzuzu Central hospital while the suspect received treatment as an outpatient.

-National Publication Limited-