Tension is still high among occupants of new Malawi Housing Corporation houses in Area 49 Shire, Lilongwe after a midnight attack on Tuesday by suspected community members from neighboring Area 49 Shire Proper.

The suspected community members descended on new MHC houses apparently in retaliation to the death of one of their own, 30 year old Thomson Chakulunguta.

Block leader Gracian Mkwapatira told Zodiak online "the group set ablaze a mini cooper, broke window panes of two semi-detached houses and a few others during the midnight attack" . 

Chakulunguta was Tuesday morning around 6am apprehended at one of MHC houses on  suspicion that he had intention to steal a car tyre. 

He was allegedly beaten by some community members before law enforcers arrived to pick him. 

Assistant public relations officer for Kanengo police station Linley Damison says the suspect died later at Kamuzu Central hospital while receiving treatment for injuries he sustained from the beating.

"Currently the new MHC houses are under police surveillance since Wednesday morning following the midnight ambush as investigations are underway," she said.

Tension was high among occupants of MHC houses on Wednesday as rumours circulated that a group was planning for a second ambush after burial of the deceased. 

No arrest have been made yet.