Barely few days after finishing third in a highly competitive 'Mr. Malawi' body-building contest in Blantyre, Yasin 'Ichocho' Suwedi has been arrested by the police for assault.

Ichocho, 27, was arrested alongside six accomplices on suspicion that they assaulted a woman identified as Emma Paliani together with her two in-laws, Davison Mponya and Gift Nyamula, in Makhetha Township in Blantyre.

Ichocho, a well-known bouncer, and his accomplices are currently on remand at Chichiri Prison in Blantyre.

Limbe Police deputy spokesperson Pedzesai Zembeneko told The Weekend Times the suspects appeared in court yesterday.

"We arrested seven men on suspicion that they assaulted three people on December 23 in Makhetha.

"However, the police are still investigating the motive behind the assault," he said.

Zembeneko identified the other suspects as Mavuto Kunsolo, 27, Sellas James, 29, 28-year-old Stewart Clement, Frank Mpiya, 34, and a 22-year-old Precious Sadreck.

"We heard that the seven people went to Makhetha to look for a Mr. Paliani and they found him chatting with his wife.

When he saw the group, Paliani ran for dear life suspecting they were thugs.

Instead the seven people pounced on the wife and started torturing her," he said.

According to the police spokesperson, the wife – Emma - told the police that the seven men wanted to set her alight.

"She alleged to the police that the men tortured her on the way to Ndirande where they said they wanted to burn her. They also assaulted her two in-laws," he said.

The police publicist said police arrested the seven after well-wishers alerted them. He said the suspects will appear in court again on January 4 to answer charges of assault and causing bodily harm.

Meanwhile, Weight Lifting and Bodybuilding Association of Malawi has condemned Ichocho's behaviour.

"I cannot confirm the development because I am yet to receive official communication but if the incident really happened, it is very sad. Appropriate measures will be taken in order to discipline him," said Harold Mayang'ana, General Secretary for Weight Lifting and Bodybuilding Association of Malawi.

Asked whether people were being trained to break the law, Mayang'ana said Weight Lifting and Bodybuilding was there to facilitate positive lives among Malawian youths.

"Our aim is promote a health generation of Malawian youths not necessarily to encourage them to break the law.

We are not party to that misconduct. If there is one discipline which promotes peace and brotherly love then it is Weight Lifting and Bodybuilding," said Mayanga'ana.

He blamed people who tend to use bouncers to break the law saying body builders are not weapons.

"We totally condemn the conduct of some people especially politicians who use physically fit young people to terrorise their opponents. Body builders should always resist being tempted by money," he said.