Violent clashes erupted near a police roadblock in Raiply Limited, Mzimba, on Wednesday night after a 34-year-old man detained at the checkpoint died in a holding cell.

Eyewitnesses said a crowd from Thanthe village and surrounding communities stormed the roadblock shortly after the death became public, setting the structure on fire as anger mounted.

Police officers deployed tear gas to disperse the demonstrators, in scenes residents described as “running battles” between security personnel and civilians.

Locals accuse police of beating the suspect, alleging he later died from injuries sustained during arrest claims officers at the checkpoint have not publicly addressed.

One resident said tensions escalated after rumours of visible swelling in the deceased man’s private parts, which so

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