Police in Nsanje have launched an investigation following an attempted robbery with violence at Sorgin Trading Center during the night of September 29-30, 2024.

The incident targeted the shop of John Meya, a well-known businessman in the area who sells assorted groceries.

Reports indicate that police officers from the Sorgin police unit were tipped off about a gang of unknown criminals armed with offensive weapons attempting to rob Meya’s shop.

In response to the intrusion, Meya raised an alarm, prompting an angry mob to intervene. The crowd apprehended two of the criminals and, in a shocking act of mob justice, set them on fire, leading to their deaths.

Upon receiving the report, detectives from Chilomo police post joined officers from the Sorgin police unit to rescue the remaining two suspects, who had been heavily assaulted by the mob.

The injured suspects were taken to Nsanje District Hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment.

The gang reportedly traveled in a blue Land Cruiser, though the vehicle’s registration number has not yet been confirmed. A postmortem revealed that the two deceased suspects died as a result of severe burns.

Police have confirmed that investigations are ongoing to apprehend the other individuals involved in the attempted robbery.

The incident highlights the dangers of mob justice and the challenges of maintaining order in the face of violent crimes.