Three people have been killed and three others injured after a long-running land dispute erupted into a violent fight in Zomba.
The incident happened at Mbalu/Chidothi in Traditional Authority Ramusi on September 9, 2026, around 6am.
Eastern Region Police Public Relations Officer Superintendent Patrick Mussa confirmed the incident.
According to Mussa, Group Village Headman Mbalu and his clan have been involved in a long-standing dispute with Village Headman Chidothi and his clan over land used for rice cultivation.
The dispute was taken to the High Court, which ruled in favour of the Mbalu clan on November 28, 2025.
Mussa said members of the Mbalu clan went to the disputed land on Wednesday to prepare it for the coming farming season.
However, their presence reportedly triggered a confrontation with members of the Chidothi clan.
The confrontation escalated into a fierce fight, leaving three people dead and three others injured.
The deceased have been identified as McPherson Khonde, 36, of Mbalu Village, Horace Bonongwe, 46, of Mponda, and James Kamano, 35, of Kapyepye Village.
All three are from the Zomba area, with Kamano being from Traditional Authority Malemia.
The injured are Ousborn Mbalu, 20, George Chimombo, an adult, and Joseph Bale, 25, all from Mbalu Village under Traditional Authority Ramusi.
Police have since launched investigations into the incident.
The incident happened at Mbalu/Chidothi in Traditional Authority Ramusi on September 9, 2026, around 6am.
Eastern Region Police Public Relations Officer Superintendent Patrick Mussa confirmed the incident.
According to Mussa, Group Village Headman Mbalu and his clan have been involved in a long-standing dispute with Village Headman Chidothi and his clan over land used for rice cultivation.
The dispute was taken to the High Court, which ruled in favour of the Mbalu clan on November 28, 2025.
Mussa said members of the Mbalu clan went to the disputed land on Wednesday to prepare it for the coming farming season.
However, their presence reportedly triggered a confrontation with members of the Chidothi clan.
The confrontation escalated into a fierce fight, leaving three people dead and three others injured.
The deceased have been identified as McPherson Khonde, 36, of Mbalu Village, Horace Bonongwe, 46, of Mponda, and James Kamano, 35, of Kapyepye Village.
All three are from the Zomba area, with Kamano being from Traditional Authority Malemia.
The injured are Ousborn Mbalu, 20, George Chimombo, an adult, and Joseph Bale, 25, all from Mbalu Village under Traditional Authority Ramusi.
Police have since launched investigations into the incident.
