Crime
Court sends activist Agape Khombe on remand at Maula Prison
The Lilongwe Senior Resident Magistrate Wanangwa Nyirenda has remanded activist Agape Khombe to Maula Prison until June 9, 2023, for allegedly defiling a 16-year-old girl.
The Lilongwe Senior Resident Magistrate Wanangwa Nyirenda has remanded activist Agape Khombe to Maula Prison until June 9, 2023, for allegedly defiling a 16-year-old girl.
Khombe was arrested on May 22, 2023, by Lilongwe Police.
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According to Lilongwe Police Publicist, Hastings Chigalu, the victim is currently pregnant.
“The state through Lilongwe Police Station Prosecution Officer Assistant Superintendent Richard Kandeya, asked the court to grant the state additional days to finalize investigations of the case,” he said
Chigalu said through his lawyer, Khwima Mchizi, Khombe applied for bail, a plea that was not sustained by the court.
The Magistrate ruled in favour of the state to keep custody of Khombe until June 9, 2023 when the case will be back in court for plea, he said.
Agape Khombe hails from Khombe Village, Traditional Authority Chakhadza in Dowa District.
Crime
Mzimba Police bust illegal fuel warehouses, impound 600 litres of fuel
Police in Mzimba have busted an illegal fuel trading syndicate and impounded 600 litres of fuel that was being stored in various warehouses.
Police in Mzimba have busted an illegal fuel trading syndicate and impounded 600 litres of fuel that was being stored in various warehouses.
Mzimba Police Public Relations Officer, Sub Inspector Maria Banda, confirmed the development in an interview on Wednesday, saying the fuel was confiscated on Tuesday after being found packed in several jerrycans and drums in different places within the Mzimba Boma.
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“There has been erratic fuel supply in Mzimba owing to such illegal dealings by unscrupulous traders. Whenever fuel is supplied in fuel stations, it quickly runs out due to hoarding. As police, we launched investigations which led to this discovery,” said Banda.
She explained that motorists have long complained about persistent fuel shortages despite service stations being stocked.
“This particular consignment was impounded within Mzimba Boma. We were tipped off by some members of the public that some individuals were keeping fuel in a warehouse.
Our investigators moved in, busted various houses and found eight jerrycans and two drums of fuel, which we estimate to contain 600 litres. Unfortunately, the owners were not present, hence did not make any arrests, but investigations are underway to identify them,” Banda said.
A motorist, Christopher Phiri from Kazomba, commended the police for busting the illegal fuel traders.
“We always blame the government for not ensuring fuel is available, yet it’s not government’s fault, as seen that even though the government ensures fuel is available, some are holding it. So I feel our Police have done a good job of confiscating the fuel. A lot of people buy fuel to resell at higher costs, which affects travellers who have to pay a lot,” said Phiri.
Crime
Police urge fuel vendors to follow legal requirements
Authorities in Karonga are urging fuel vendors to comply with legal requirements after a man was caught smuggling 120 litres of petrol. The incident has raised concerns about public safety and the illegal transport of fuel across district borders.
Police in Karonga District are calling on fuel vendors to adhere to legal regulations and to ensure that their operations are conducted safely and responsibly within the community.
This appeal was made on Sunday, following the recent arrest of a 47-year-old man identified as Petros Mweso, who was alleged to have possessed and smuggled 120 litres of petrol.
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According to Karonga Police Public Relations Officer Margaret Msiska, on the afternoon of August 30, Police officers at the Lasha checkpoint had received a tip about a suspect named Mweso.
She said, “It was reported that Mweso was using a motorbike to transport petrol to the town of Chitipa. This tip-off prompted the officers to be on high alert for the suspicious activity related to the transportation of fuel in that area.
She added that, at the location, law enforcement apprehended the suspect involved in this illegal activity. During a search, they discovered six large drums, each filled with 20 litres of petrol.
Karonga Police stressed the importance of responsible business practices that not only align with compliance with the laws but also maintain the safety and well-being of the residents.
“I’m urging residents to monitor the area closely to ensure that any potential illegal activities are promptly addressed,” Msiska said.
The suspect is scheduled to appear in court to face charges for unlawfully possessing petrol without the necessary permit, violating Section 17 (d) of the country’s Constitution regarding the possession of certain substances.
Petro Mweso hails from Champhande village in the Mwenemahowe chiefdom of Chitipa district.
Crime
Mzuzu man arrested for intimidating insurance official with live ammunition
Police in Mzuzu have arrested 40-year-old Macloud Mhango for allegedly using live ammunition to intimidate a Vanguard Life Insurance official over a pension dispute, and for possessing six rounds of ammunition without documentation.
Police in Mzuzu are keeping in custody a 40-year-old man for allegedly being found in possession of six rounds of live ammunition without proper documents and intimidating a Vanguard Life Insurance official with it.
Public Relations Officer for Mzuzu Police, Inspector Augustus Mkhwazi, confirmed the incident and identified the suspect as Macloud Mhango from Yohane Chisi Village in the area of Traditional Authority M’mbelwa in Mzimba District.
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Mkhwazi said in an interview that Mhango went to Vanguard Life Insurance offices in Mzuzu on Thursday to inquire about his pension balance.
“He was given an account balance statement which he was not satisfied with. In the process, he started intimidating Florence Banda, an official who was assisting him.
“He produced a live ammunition from his bag in order to threaten her. Immediately, Banda pressed an alarm button to call for help. Realizing this, the suspect grabbed Banda’s cell phone and car keys before running away,” said Mkhwazi.
He explained that security guards managed to apprehend Mhango and handed him over to Mzuzu Police. A subsequent search by police detectives uncovered six live 9-millimetre calibre ammunition in his possession.
According to Mkhwazi, the suspect claimed that he found the ammunition dumped along Chibavi Location earth road in the city.
“Police detectives are investigating the matter to establish the motive behind Mhango’s actions,” added Mkhwazi.
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