A 35-year-old man, Maxwell Weston, was killed by an angry crowd in Mchinji district.
He was accused of stealing five chickens belonging to Charles Gidala, 48.
According to Mchinji police spokesperson Limbani Mpinganjira, Gidala discovered the missing chickens and found Weston with them, leading him to mobilize other community members.
The mob subsequently attacked and killed Weston.
Five suspects, including Gidala, have been arrested in connection with Weston’s murder.
The others are Chimtumbira Njanje, 33, Happy Juma, 28, Dala Nkhoma, 29, and Zakeyo Yofumaki, 25.
They are expected to face charges related to murder and mob justice.
The incident is under investigation.
