Police arrest cattle rustlers over watchman’s murder

Lilongwe Police detectives have arrested two cattle rustlers on suspicion that they killed a livestock farm watchman, Simon Jentala, at Mwalimbwe Village in Chitedze, Lilongwe.

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The two also stole five cattle in the same area.

Lilongwe Police Public Relations Officer, Hastings Chigalu identified the suspects as Gift Jailosi, 27, and Mathews Luciano, 31, from Traditional Authorities (TA) Kaphuka and Tambala respectively in Dedza District.

“Detectives were on vehicle patrol when they came across a Toyota Sienta vehicle registration number NE 3932 that was coming from the opposite direction.

“When the vehicle passed them, the detectives became suspicious after noticing how overloaded it was which forced them to make an abrupt U-turn and started following it,” Chigalu explained

Later, a cat and mouse chase started after the suspects realised that police were following them.

“The detectives chased the suspects from Amina Roundabout near Crossroads Hotel, all the way via Kamuzu Central Hospital road up to Mchesi near Glorious Light International Church, where they were intercepted.

“Upon searching the vehicle, police discovered three slaughtered heads of cattle which the suspects failed to give account of,” Chigalu added.

Few hours after taking them into custody, Randson Mwandiwa, owner of the livestock farm at Mwalimbwe Village reported to Chitedze Police Unit of the brutal murder of his watchman (named above), and the missing of five heads of cattle.

The suspects, after admitting to be behind the incident, led police into a nearby graveyard where two of the five stolen cattle were kept alive.

They will appear in court soon to answer murder and theft of cattle charges.

The deceased hailed from Makhusu Village, Traditional Authority M’bwatalika, Lilongwe.