Police in Lundazi District have picked up 14 arsonists who torched nine houses in an on-going land wrangle in Pono Village of Mwase Chiefdom, resulting in loss of property worthy over K105,000.
The incident happened between November 3, 2025, and November 4, 2025, around 21:00 hours.
And Eastern province Police Commissioner, Robertson Mweemba has confirmed the arson case during a media briefing in Lundazi District.
Duncan Banda, 34, of Pono village told police that his four grass thatched houses were set on fire by people he knew and named Titus Banda, Charles Bilima as some of them, all of Pono village in Mwase chiefdom.
He told police that household property valued at K25,550 was lost in the inferno, some maliciously damaged while some got looted.
Two other grass thatched houses belonging to Fred Banda, were also set ablaze by the same suspected arsonists where household property that included 10 bags of fertilizer, 50 bags of maize grain all valued at K80,000 were stolen.
According to police, the fracas started when police two days ago followed up on a matter which was reported last month from Fred Banda, 36, who reported of destruction to his property by known persons.
“Police managed to apprehend two suspects but as they tried to pull out with the suspects, they were challenged and one suspect managed to escape whilst handcuffed,” Mr Mweemba stated.
One of the suspects’ children went and attacked the house for the victim, demanding their father gets released from police custody, further going ahead to torch nine grass thatched houses, damaging property belonging to Fred Banda, looted some and also attacked the victim’s family members.
It took a combined police team from Lumezi, Chasefu and Lundazi to quell the fracas and picked 14 suspects while investigation into the matter continues.
