Four Houses Torched in Ntchisi After Brick-Molding Dispute Turns Deadly

Angry villagers in Chinkhande Village, Senior Chief Chawanda, Ntchisi District, have set fire to four houses belonging to the family of Fanizo Chalekana, who is suspected of involvement in the death of Thokozani Moses.

Ntchisi Police spokesperson, Sub-Inspector Salomy Zgambo, confirmed the development, saying the incident followed a disagreement between the two men on the night of August 29, 2025.

According to Zgambo, the quarrel started after Moses confronted Chalekana over poor workmanship in a brick-molding job for which he had already been paid in full. During the confrontation, Moses reportedly took some bundles of grass belonging to Chalekana, an act that infuriated him.

“In the heat of the argument, Chalekana allegedly struck Moses on the head with a hoe. The victim was rushed to Ntchisi District Hospital, where he later died while receiving treatment,” said Zgambo.

Zgambo added that following Moses’s burial on August 31, 2025, angry villagers and relatives of the deceased retaliated by torching four houses belonging to Chalekana’s family.

Police have since launched a manhunt for Chalekana, whose whereabouts remain unknown.