Police at Masambanjati in Thyolo are investigating the killing of a 19-year-old man who was murdered in an apparent act of mob justice after being accused of stabbing another man to death.

The station' spokesperson, Amos Banda has identified the deceased as Vedede Layi from Jason Village under Traditional Authority Nsabwe, who was reportedly attacked by relatives of Harrison Mwandama, 36, whom he had earlier killed following a quarrel at a drinking joint.

According to Banda, the incident started around midnight on August 25, 2025, when Mwandama and his friends were drinking at a local beer hall.

Banda says Layi allegedly began throwing stones at them, forcing the group to leave and later reported the matter to Layi’s mother. The misunderstanding was said to have been resolved.

However, minutes later, villagers heard cries for help from Mwandama. He was discovered lying on the ground with a stab wound to the stomach.

“Before he died, Mwandama told people who rushed to the scene that he had been stabbed with a knife by Vedede,” explained Banda.

Mwandama was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. A postmortem revealed that he died due to excessive bleeding from the wound.

While police were conducting investigations into the murder, they received a report that Layi, the main suspect, had also been killed by unknown people believed to be avenging Mwandama’s death.

Sergeant Banda has thus strongly condemned the mob killing, warning residents against taking the law into their own hands.

“We are deeply concerned with this growing tendency of people resorting to mob justice. Taking the law into your own hands is a serious offence, and we will ensure that all those involved are arrested and brought before court,” he said.

Both deceased men came from villages under Traditional Authority Nsabwe in Thyolo, with Mwandama from Namuonjeza Village and Layi from Jason Village.