Police arrest 16 over Lunzu mob justice murder

Police in Chileka have arrested 16 people in connection with the mob justice killing of 35-year-old Fixon Menyauti at Nazombe Village, Traditional Authority Kapeni in Blantyre.

The suspects, aged between 15 and 35, include 13 males and three females and are accused of being part of a mob that apprehended and burnt Menyauti to death on September 13, 2026.

According to police, the mob suspected Menyauti of stealing a motorcycle before taking the law into its own hands.

However, investigations later established that Menyauti was not a motorcycle thief, but was simply returning home from Lunzu Trading Centre when he was attacked.

Chileka Police said the arrests followed intensive investigations and intelligence gathering by detectives from Lunzu Police Unit and Chileka Police Station.

The 16 suspects are currently in police custody pending further interrogation.

Police said the suspects will appear in court soon to answer a charge of murder, contrary to Section 209 of the Penal Code.

Meanwhile, investigations are continuing, with police warning that more arrests could follow as they work to identify everyone involved in the killing.