Worshippers at Ighembe Seventh Day Adventist Church in Karonga were reportedly attacked during a service, leaving eight members injured and raising fears over the safety of the congregation.
The incident happened on September 12, 2026, when a group of people allegedly entered the church premises and disrupted the worship service, according to a statement issued by the Malawi Union of Seventh-day Adventists on Saturday.
The group allegedly assaulted worshippers and attempted to set the church building on fire.
The Malawi Union said the violence was reportedly linked to a land dispute involving the church.
Police officers reportedly arrived shortly after the confrontation started and rescued members who were inside the church.
Malawi Union SDA president Pastor Petro Lameck Sukali has condemned the incident, describing it as a serious infringement on the constitutional right to freedom of worship.
The church said it was particularly concerned that some of the people allegedly involved in the violence had since been released on bail.
“The church is saddened to learn that the people who allegedly subjected our members to violence have been released on bail,” the statement said.
According to the church, the development has heightened fear and insecurity among members of the Ighembe congregation.
The Malawi Union has called for the matter to be handled through established legal and judicial processes, while urging all parties involved in the land dispute to avoid further violence.
The church leadership has also stressed that disputes, including those involving land, should be resolved through lawful and peaceful means.
The matter remains under the handling of the relevant authorities.
