Malawi Electoral Commission officers nabbed
Police in Mzuzu have arrested two Malawi Electoral Commission (Mec) officers and six other suspects in connection with theft of seven sets of generators used in the 2014 tripartite elections.
Northern Region Police Publicist Maurice Chapola identified the two as Davie Mtumbu 43, and Bright Mkandawire 45, who worked as stores and warehouse clerks respectively.
Chapola said in an interview on Tuesday that one of the suspects Madkens Kalua hired three taxis at dawn on Monday and went to Mec warehouse where with assistance of the three Kamu security guards loaded the generators into the vehicles.
According to Chapola, patrolling police officers foiled the mission during the same night and arrested the guards, drivers and Kalua.
“Our officers who were on patrol were surprised to see taxis at the warehouse of Mec just after midnight.
They went closer and realised that the guards and Kalua were busy parking the generators into the vehicles. They asked them why they were doing that at late hours but their response was unsatisfactory,” he explained.
Chapola further revealed that police have established that other 10 generators and computers are also missing from the warehouse and said investigations were still underway.
“The suspects will appear before court soon, and they will answer charges ranging from theft by public servant, robbery and theft,” he added.
Quizzed why the commission remains an easy target for crimes with its officers emerging as prime suspects, Mec’s spokesperson Sangwani Mwafulirwa said people will always beat any security system but the commission’s security strategies remain strong.
“We are not negligent and it is unfortunate that our staff are being held suspects especially in this particular incident, otherwise the public should be assured that Mec prioritises security for its premises and materials considering how sensitive they are,” said Mwafulirwa.
Mtumbu 43 hails from Nkolokosa village, T/A Mtchiramwera in Thyolo while Mhango, 45 comes from Dango village, T/A M’bwana in Nkhata Bay.
The drivers are Daniel Munthali, Smole Banda and Wollson Phiri while the guards are Chifundo Banda and Petro Sandiseni.
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