Ntcheu Police spokesperson, Rabecca Kwisongole, says the alleged assault to death occurred on Saturday in a kraal for pigs.

"The deceased was caught trying to steal pigs. The suspects assaulted him to death with sharp objects and knives," said Kwisongole.

A postmortem by medics who rushed to the scene together with Police revealed that death was due to loss of blood.

Eight of the suspects are from Thanganyika village, Traditional Authority - T/A Njolomole while one is from Ntumba, T/A Ganya, Ntcheu.

The nine have been charged with murder and are expected to appear before court soon.