President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has advised Malawians to always respect the rule of law regardless of whatever issues affecting them.

Chakwera said this when he visited Kumbali Lodge, part of which was burned by irate villagers early Sunday over long- standing land disputes.

He cited law and order as some of the pillars of his government, as such he will not tolerate lawlessness.

The President reaffirmed his commitment to promoting direct foreign investments and deal decisively with the illegal acquisition of land.

According to Kumbali Lodge management, preliminary estimates indicate that property worth over $500,000 (over K375 million) was lost in the inferno.

Part of Kumbali Lodge and some cars belonging to the lodge were set ablaze in the early hours of Sunday by a mob of villagers living around the lodge who are claiming part of the land that belongs to the lodge.

The arsonists were some of the residents encroaching the Kumbali property.

Meanwhile, over 40 people have been arrested by the law enforcers and more arrests are expected to be ensued.