Unknown robbers during the wee hours of Friday murdered a guard whilst on duty at Waka Transport Workshop in Lilongwe. Assistant police publicist for Lilongwe Police Station, Kingsley Dandaula on Wednesday identified the deceased as Stafford Harry Makwinja, 43, of Ngongondo Village, T/A Chikumbu in Mulanje.

"Makwinja was murdered by unknown robbers at his work place. The owner of the workshop Imran Waka received a call from his brother who is in South Africa informing him about the incident," Dandaula said.

He explained that well wishers alerted the South African brother because they did not have the shop owner's number. Upon hearing the sad news, Waka rushed and reported the matter to police. According to police three guards were on duty on that fateful night.

"When police arrived at the scene, they found that the robbers had already left the place. Out of the three, one guard went missing and the police started looking for him only to find him in a pit lying dead," Dandaula explained.

He said Makwinja was found with bruises. The body was then taken to Kamuzu Central Hospital for postmortem. In a related development, unknown criminals have been murdered by angry mob at Dickson Trading Centre in Lilongwe. Dandaula said the alleged criminals on Friday went to the house of Mr. Malefula to steal cattle at around 8:00 pm.

"The suspects were caught by the villagers and were assaulted to death," he said, adding that the dead bodies were taken to KCH for postmortem where it was confirmed that they died due to loss blood.

Police have since warned against mob justice advising that suspects should be taken to nearby police stations.