Police in Lilongwe have apprehended 14 men suspected of committing a series of armed robberies across the city and surrounding areas, recovering some of the stolen items.
These crimes include attacks on five lodges and several houses in Areas 43, 12, Chitipi, and other locations, resulting in the theft of cash and various items valued at K120 million.
According to Hastings Chigalu, the Lilongwe Police Public Relations Officer, the suspected robbers were armed with panga knives and other dangerous weapons, attacking and hacking security guards, lodge customers, and in some cases, raping female victims before robbing them of their valuables.
Chigalu further disclosed that among the recovered stolen property are seven plasma screens, a laptop, a cellphone, and a pistol. He highlights that the suspects have admitted to selling some of the stolen property in Mozambique, and police are planning to recover these items.
The suspects, identified as Chisomo Paul, 19, Blessings Banda, 33, Callos Chipeta, 42, Patrick Phade, 40, Kelvin Chirwa, 36, Lajab Chisankho, 41, Alex Mponya, 38, Tobias Sendeza, 44, Alfred Phiri, 53, Silvester Mponya, 49, Gift Singano, 38, Gift Phiri, 38, Masautso Mandala, 40, and Stafford Domingo, 37, are all ex-convicts.
By Yamikani Makanga
