Chadiza maize thief lynched

—A youthful man was on Saturday night
severely beaten by an angry farmer from Kangulu village in Chief Mlolo’s area
of Chadiza district in Eastern Province after he was caught stealing maize.

The man, who was identified as Lackson Banda, aged about 25 years, was bitten by the irate farmer, Lastone Phiri, after he was caught stealing maize that was heaped outside the owner’s house awaiting packing in a granary.

An eye witness, Zacheaus Phiri, told ZANIS that Lackson, of Kangulu village, was severely beaten but only managed to escape after he pleaded that he should be allowed to take off his shirt before running off into a nearby bush.

Lackson, who has been suspected of having been stealing maize in a number
of villages, was on Saturday night caught red handed with a 50kg bag of
maize at Yolamu village.

Mr Phiri, who is also Chamandala Ward councillor, said Lackson was caught around 21:00 hours as he was packing the maize in a sack while his accomplice, Wilson Phiri, commonly known as Chipyolo-pyolo, stood by the road side to watch for any possible in-coming people.

But the owner of the maize, Lastone Phiri, heard some movements and pounced on the thug.

The two suspected thugs are still on the run and the neighbourhood watch has since launched a man hunt, adding that anyone with information leading to the two suspected thugs should quickly contact the police or the neighbourhood watch.

Another resident, Lucy Mwanza, said she lost more than a dozen bags of maize, some beans and maize flour which she had kept in her store to the village thieves.

“Thugs raided my home twice in less than a month when I had taken my child to a nearby clinic and swept all the food that I had stored. I do not even know what I will feed my children on,” said the mother of four.

The residents say a week hardly passes before a theft case is reported in the village and vowed to clean up the village by apprehending all people with wanting characters.