Police in Lilongwe have arrested three men for suspected murder of Moffat Kamunthu, 39, and assault.

According to Lilongwe Police Publicist Hastings Chigalu, the three who are family members are alleged to have killed Kamunthu and seriously wounded his family members over a land dispute at Maliseni Village on June 24, 2023.

The three suspects have been identified as Marko Kambiya, 41, Innocent Kambiya, 20, and Bernard Kambiya, 19.

It is said that both sides are related (cousins), and that they have been in family feud for some time now over the land matter.

When the issue was brought before Senior Village Headman Nsabwe, it was resolved in favour of the bereaved family.

Dissatisfied with the first judgment, the issue was taken to other group village headman on June 24, 2023, who gave a similar verdict.

He also advised them to appeal the judgment to Traditional Authority Chadza if not satisfied.

However, not pleased again with the outcome, on Saturday night the suspects attacked and stoned a child from the bereaved family who was coming back from a shop he was sent by his parents.

In the heat of the fracas, suspect(s) hacked a brother to the deceased on the head with panga knife.

Unfortunately, when other family members managed to escape the scene, Moffat (deceased) did not make it. He was beaten until he became unconscious.

He was later rushed to Mitundu Health Centre, where he was pronounced dead.