By Milton Sukasuka

Balaka, June 6, Mana: A mob in Balaka District has killed a man aged 29, identified as, Rodrick Jackson, for allegedly breaking into a house, stealing maize flour, soya pieces, and a Bluetooth speaker at Chibwana Village, Traditional Authority Nsamala where he left a record of a habitual criminal.

Balaka Police Station Publicist, Inspector Gladson M'bumpha, said the suspect was caught stealing the items from a house on the night of Wednesday, June 4, 2025.

“At 8 o’clock in the evening on June 4, 2015, Jackson broke into a house of Pilirani Luka and allegedly stole food items and a Bluetooth speaker but was caught red-handed by the owner and some villagers. The group started beating him severely before dumping his body behind his wife’s house,

"After the incident, Kwitanda Community Policing Forum reported the matter to police on Thursday morning, June 5, 2025. Officers from Balaka Police Station rushed to the scene and took the body to Balaka District Hospital,” Balaka Police publicist added.

M'bumpha said a postmortem conducted at Balaka District Hospital showed that Jackson died from excessive bleeding caused by serious head injuries due to assault.

Police investigations continue to identify and arrest those involved in the mob justice, according to M’bumpha

Balaka Police has urged people to report crime suspects to police stations, posts or units instead of resorting to mob justice.

Jackson was a habitual criminal and was recently been released from Chichiri Prison.

He came from Chibwana Village, Traditional Authority Nsamala.