Malawi Police Service have arrested three suspects in the murder of a 40-year-old businessman at Chisi Island in Zomba.
Eastern Region Police spokesperson Thomeck Nyaude told Nyasa Times that the deceased Robert Mankhwala from Ng’anjo Village, T/A Jenala in Phalombe was strangled to death in his house.
Nyaude identified the three suspects as Taimu Gilbert, Mimu Liyaya and Steven Nakachi who are alleged to have committed the offence on January 31 2013.
“The three suspects committed the offence by breaking into the house of the deceased (Mankhwala) where they strangled him on the neck to death,” said the police spokesman.
“The suspects eventually strangled the neck of the deceased’s 9-year-old son Fraternal Mankhwala who fainted in the process.
“Thereafter, the suspects put the bodies of the deceased and the son in a canoe outside the house before stealing some items such as a generator, two speakers and five cartons of laundry soap.”
Nyaude added: “But in the process of their act, the boy whom the suspects thought they had
killed regained consciousness and saw them.”
He said the boy called out for help from neighbours who rounded up the suspects in the house and arrested them.
Meanwhile, the police spokesperson said the suspects are expected to appear before court soon to answer alleged offence of murder.
Gilbert comes from Chisawa Village, T/A Mpama in Chiradzulu whereas Liyaya is from Mkwanda Village, T/ A Mkumbira in the district. Nakachi comes from Kholomana Village, T/A Mlomba in Machinga.