Police in Lilongwe have rescued a man who was nearly torched by angry mob after being suspected of stealing a cellphone.

According to our source, the suspected thief had stolen the phone from his relative who asked him to help recharge airtime.

Upon handed over the phone for help, the suspected thief fled with it to area 23 market where he wanted to sell it but his buyer smelled a rat in the process.

The suspected thief had failed to disclose where he got the gadget upon being quizzed by the buyer.

That did not go well with the buyer who then called people who suggested putting him into flames.

Luckily police arrived at the scene just after his body was already spread with petrol and he was taken to area 23 police unit for an investigation on the matter.