3 people killed as families brawl over a land dispute in Zomba, Malawi

Three people died and three others were injured in a violent confrontation that erupted on Thursday, 10 September 2026, over a land dispute in the Mbalu/Chidothi area under Traditional Authority Lamusi in Zomba district.

Southern Region police spokesperson Patrick Mussa identified the deceased as McPherson Khonde (36), Horace Bonongwe (46), both from Lamusi, and James Kamano (35) from Malemia in Zomba.

The conflict stemmed from a long-running dispute between the Mbalu and Chidothi families. The High Court in Zomba had ruled that the land belonged to the Mbalu family. When members of the Mbalu family went to take possession of the property, they encountered members of the Chidothi family. A quarrel escalated into a fight that left three people dead and three injured.