A cassava thief is battling for his life at Thyolo District Hospital after being beaten mercilessly by an angry mob.

Thyolo District police spokesperson, Sergeant Rabecca Kashoti has confirmed of the development and identified the suspect as Arnold Pharaoh, 39.

Kashoti told this publication that the villagers from Pemba, senior chief Nchiramwera, assaulted Pharaoh and wounded another accomplice, Richard Winderson, 25,after they were allegedly caught stealing cassava on the night of April 15, 2024.

The attack has resulted in the amputation of the suspect’s hand.

Meanwhile, the owner of the cassava field on suspicion that he mobilized the mob.