Police in Ntchisi have arrested Phillip Mwangonde, 60 and Chidatha Mwale, 52, on two counts of personating a public officer and obtaining money by false pretence.
Ntchisi Police publicist, Salome Zgambo, says on 4 September 2024, they received a complaint from Tiyanjane and Nanjiri clubs, who were represented by Siziwani Malango, that the suspects solicited K1,432,400 cash from the members of the community of Kathumba and Mkulumimba villages in the area of Snr Chief Kalumo.
She said: “The duo went to the said villages pretending as officials from the OPC, and lied that they were forming fertilizer beneficiary clubs for the President and each member was requested to contribute K15,000 which they claimed was meant for logistics.
“It was later discovered that the two went to Mchinji for the same operation but were apprehended by Kamwendo Police before soliciting any cash though they managed to mobilize 180 members.”
The suspects were ferried to Ntchisi Police for questioning and they will appear before court soon upon completion of investigations.
Police have, since, appealed to those who were duped by the suspects to report to Ntchisi police for identification and to lodge an official complaint.
Mwangonde hails from Mwenitete village in Traditional Authority Kilupula in Karonga district while Mwale hails from Kalindawalo village in Traditional Authority Njombwa in Kasungu.
By James Mwale, MANA
