By Burnett Munthali
A violent incident unfolded in the Kamoto and Kukada villages under Traditional Authority (T/A) Mkanda in Mulanje, where enraged villagers destroyed seven houses following the suspected murder of a local man.
According to Mulanje Police spokesperson Innocent Moses, the chaos erupted after the killing of 43-year-old Fisiyani Samuel. Samuel was allegedly stabbed in the stomach by a forest ranger working under the Forest Conservation Trust, identified only as Macheso. The deceased was reportedly among those accused of illegally cutting down trees and making charcoal in a protected forest area.
Upon learning of Samuel’s death, a group of villagers, who have been at odds with forest conservation officers over their crackdown on illegal logging and charcoal burning, launched a retaliatory attack. In a furious response, they demolished houses belonging to the forest rangers, including the residence of Village Head Kamoto, who is said to support the conservation efforts.
Moses further explained that those whose homes were destroyed fled to save their lives, while the police are actively searching for the suspects involved in the destruction.
Law enforcement authorities have since warned the public against taking the law into their own hands, emphasizing that such actions constitute a serious violation of national laws. The police have assured that they will bring the perpetrators to justice and restore order in the affected villages.
