South East Police Region spokesperson, Edward Kabango, said on Thursday that the Department of Disaster and Management Affairs (DoDMA) officials went to the area to distribute the relief maize.

Kabango said that at around 1700 hours, they told the beneficiaries to disperse and come back the following day because it was late.

By then, 200 bags were remaining in the vehicle.

He added that the vehicle started off and angry people started pelting stones to the vehicle before it got stuck about 200 meters away from the scene and they stole all the remaining bags.

"Value of the bags is not yet known as we are waiting for DODMA. Investigations are underway to arrest the suspects," Kabango said.

Meanwhile, Thyolo district commissioner, Hudson Kuphanga said they were set to distribute 1, 999 bags of maize in the area and will advise the beneficiaries to collect them at the council offices.

"We have returned the truck to Thyolo boma and we will advise the communities to collect the maize from council offices. The first truck took 600 bags to start the process and eventually there were organized groups with pangas who actually derailed the process and in the end 200 bags have been stolen," he said.