Man arrested for gruesome murder of 83 year old woman in Blantyre.

By Michael Martin//MALAWI

Police in Blantyre have taken into custody a man identified as Francis Chagunda who is suspected of brutally murdering 83-year-old woman, Violet Nyambale Mtambo at her residence in Baluti on August 30, 2025.

The shocking incident has sent waves of fear and outrage through the Baluti community where the elderly victim was known as a peaceful and respected woman.

Blantyre Police Officer in Charge, Aubrey Kawale confirmed the arrest and released the suspect’s details to the public.

According to Kawale, the suspect Francis Chagunda was born on March 2, 2001 and hails from Mwenemazongoni Village under Traditional Authority Mwenewenya in Chitipa District.

Police reports indicate that Chagunda’s arrest came after he was apprehended in Ndirande Township for a separate theft incident.

During police interrogation, Chagunda allegedly made a shocking voluntary confession including admitting to having murdered the elderly woman.

He is said to have told investigators that his initial intention was to steal from Mtambo’s house.

However, according to police accounts, the situation escalated when Mtambo recognized him, prompting him to kill her in a bid to conceal his identity.

The confession aligned with evidence collected at the crime scene further implicating the suspect in the heinous act.

A postmortem examination conducted on the victim’s body revealed that Mtambo’s neck had been broken and she had suffered severe head injuries consistent with a violent assault.

Police have described the murder as both callous and deliberate emphasizing that justice will be pursued with the utmost seriousness.

The suspect Francis Chagunda remains in police custody and is expected to appear before court soon to face murder charges under Malawi’s Penal Code.