Man Arrested in Thyolo for Alleged Maize Theft Killing
Published on March 31, 2026 at 1:00 PM by Edgar Naitha
Police in Thyolo District have arrested Victor Banda, 22, on suspicion of killing Dalitso Mkonde, 35, after allegedly catching him stealing maize from his farm.
According to the Deputy Public Relations Officer for Thyolo District, Blessings Keith Rabson, the incident occurred on March 24, 2026, at around 3:00 a.m. in Sitepe Village.
Rabson said Banda had been hiding in his field to guard his crops when he allegedly found Mkonde harvesting maize. A struggle ensued, during which Banda reportedly attacked Mkonde with a machete, inflicting a fatal wound to the head.
Mkonde died at the scene.
Both Banda and Mkonde are from Sitepe Village, Traditional Authority Chimaliro, in Thyolo District.
