A suspected criminal, only identified as Lous, has been killed by some villagers in Chidalala village, T/A Nsamala in Balaka for allegedly stealing maize from a garden on Monday.

Balaka Police publicist Gladson M’bumpha said the suspect (now deceased) was spotted by the owners of the fields when they went to harvest their crops.

M’bumpha explained that, Lous tried to flee upon seeing the owners, which prompted them to shout for help and was apprehended by some villagers who eventually set him ablaze using petrol.

“The matter was reported to Balaka Police and we rushed to rescue him. He sustained burnt and deep cut wounds and he was pronounced dead upon arrival at Balaka District Hospital,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Police have condemned the act which they say has become rampant in the district. They added that investigations are underway in order to trace and arrest culprits in connection to the mob justice.