A 35-year-old man, identified as Yasin Yona, has died after being beaten by an angry mob that allegedly caught him stealing chickens at Kanyimbo Village under Traditional Authority Chanthunya in Balaka District.

Balaka Police spokesperson Inspector Gladson M’bumpha said the incident occurred in the early hours of 15 July .

According to M’bumpha, the deceased was severely assaulted and sustained serious head injuries. He has since urged members of the public to avoid taking the law into their own hands and instead report suspected criminals to the police.

Police have launched investigations to identify and arrest those responsible for the death of Yona, who hailed from Mtengula Village under Traditional Authority Symon in Neno District.