By Chilungamo Missi

Blantyre, September 6, Mana: Police in Limbe, Blantyre have arrested two people identified as Samson George, 25, and Cosmas Siza, 35, on suspicion that they were involved in the murder of three security guards at Amalika Forest at Bvumbwe in Thyolo district.

Confirming the arrest on Monday, Limbe Police Public Relations Officer, Aubrey Singanyama said that on August 28, 2023 at around 06:00 hours, a partially burnt body of a 45-year-old Joseph Samson was discovered in the forest by women who were on their way to fetch firewood.

“Prior to that sad discovery, the late Samson was reported missing on August 23, 2023 after going to fetch livestock feed in the forest. When the body was discovered with burn wounds from a suspected forest fire, some villagers became very angry and attacked forest guards,” said Singanyama.

He said the three forest guards identified as Lameck Tebulo, William Yohane and Thomas Chibakera were assaulted to death by the angry villagers.

Postmortem results from Thyolo District Hospital found that the deaths were a result of severe head injuries due to blunt trauma.

He added that Samson's body was taken to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital for autopsy.

Limbe Police detectives launched investigations which led to the arrest of the two suspects at Thunga Trading Centre in Thyolo.

When questioned by the police the two confessed that they took part in the brutal murder of the three guards.

Limbe Police has, therefore, urged members of the public to stop mob justice saying it defeats justice.

George comes from Chamasowa Village, Traditional Authority (TA) Boyd while Soza comes from Sakoma Village, Senior Chief Bvumbwe both in Thyolo district.

Mana/ch/ewc/pk