Police in Koche, Mangochi, over the weekend arrested four men on allegations that they assaulted to death Isaac Mbendera, 29, of Khumunye Village, Traditional Authority M’biza in Zomba, after he was caught red-handed stealing goats.
Mangochi Police Station Publicist Inspector Amina Tepani Daudi said the incident occurred on the night of 19 July 2024, at Chipoka village within Maldeco Trading Centre.
The four suspects have been identified as Mtenje Salanje (kraal owner), 50; Felix Maunda, 45; Shadreck Jailosi, 48; and Christopher Mkwate, 48.
It is alleged that Mbendera, now deceased, and his two unidentified accomplices broke into Salanje’s goat kraal within his compound on the said date.
However, the owner was awoken by the bleating of the goats and shouted for help upon noticing the presence of the thieves, prompting neighbors, including the other mentioned suspects, to mobilize themselves.
Mbendera was captured after he failed to escape with his motorcycle, while the other two fled.
The angry mob assaulted him mercilessly with stones, big sticks, and metal objects before abandoning him.
The matter was reported to Koche Police Unit, who rushed to the scene and took Mbendera to Mangochi District Hospital, where he died while receiving treatment due to internal bleeding.
Police initiated investigations, leading to the arrest of the suspects. In the meantime, investigations are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects.
The four men have been charged with murder, which contravenes Section 209 of the Penal Code, and will appear before court after the completion of paperwork.
Police in the district appeal to the public to avoid taking the law into their own hands, as mob justice is not only illegal but also jeopardizes crime investigations.
The four hails from Chipoka Village, Traditional Authority Mponda in Mangochi.
