A man believed to have recently returned from South Africa has been found hanging in Chinamwali Township in Zomba, in an incident that has left residents shocked.
Residents who spoke to Malawi Cables Online identified the deceased as the son of a local chief, although police had not officially confirmed his identity by the time of publication.
When The Truth Online visited the scene, police officers and health personnel had not yet arrived.
Zomba Police Public Relations Officer Andrew Mwale confirmed that the police had received a report of the incident and said officers had been dispatched to the scene.
“We have received the report and our officers are on their way to the scene,” said Mwale.
Police are expected to conduct investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding the death before releasing further details.
The incident comes amid renewed attention on the experiences of some Malawians returning from South Africa, where foreign nationals have periodically been targeted in xenophobic attacks. Over the years, waves of anti-immigrant violence have claimed lives, destroyed businesses and forced thousands of migrants, including Malawians, to flee affected communities.
The attacks have often been driven by tensions over unemployment, crime and competition for economic opportunities, although South African authorities have repeatedly condemned the violence and pledged to protect all people living in the country regardless of nationality.
There is, however, no evidence at this stage linking the death of the man found in Chinamwali to xenophobic attacks or to his reported return from South Africa.
Police investigations are expected to determine the cause and circumstances of the incident.
