In a major breakthrough for local law enforcement, Kawale Police have recovered K18.5 million of the K23.9 million recently stolen from a business in Mchesi, according to Face of Malawi. The theft occurred on the night of May 30 after a Pakistani business owner, Kaleen Ullah, was unable to bank his daily sales due to late operations. Avant Publications reports that authorities have intensified their search for the prime suspect, Justin Makwecha, who worked as a shop attendant and is wanted on felony and break-in charges.
Meanwhile, Lingadzi Police have arrested a 19-year-old man, Chikumbutso Wyson, in connection with a burglary at the Capital Hill Labour Office. Face of Malawi reports that the suspect allegedly broke into the government offices and stole computers and other equipment valued at approximately K13 million. During the investigation, officers recovered a portion of the stolen property and arrested a second suspect, Guelors Pululu, who was allegedly found in possession of the stolen items.
In Zomba, police arrested three individuals for allegedly orchestrating a fraudulent housing scheme that scammed villagers out of K1.3 million. According to Face of Malawi, Adamu Juta, Cecilia Lipenga, and Vincent Wisky visited Kalunduwiche 3 Village posing as representatives of a charitable organisation that builds free houses for vulnerable people. The suspects reportedly collected K10,000 from each prospective beneficiary as a registration fee before police investigations exposed the operation as a scam and led to their arrests.
On the anti-corruption front, the Malawi Treasury has directed all controlling officers to submit detailed reports on public contracts to the National Audit Office and the Attorney General's Office by June 20, 2026. Malawi24 reports that the review will strictly focus on contracts whose values were increased through addendums after the original agreements were signed. The government expects public agencies to provide evidence that all required procurement approval procedures were followed to enhance transparency and combat financial abuse.