Kanengo Police in Lilongwe have arrested 52-year-old Pofera Boma in connection with a violent September 3 armed robbery in Area 25 that resulted in the fatal shooting of a pregnant woman, Ezilina Masamba. According to Nyasa Times, her husband was also severely injured during the home invasion. Authorities additionally detained motorcycle taxi operator Gift Fole, who allegedly confessed to transporting the suspects and subsequently led detectives to a stash of stolen property.
In a separate incident, a criminal investigation officer based at Kawale Police Station has been reported to the Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Malawi Human Rights Commission. Malawi Cables reports that officer Thomas Thomson is accused of fabricating a criminal case against a mechanic, Dan Nkawihe, and demanding a K500,000 bribe to secure his release. The complaint alleges that Nkawihe was detained well beyond the constitutional 48-hour limit without being brought before a court.
Wildlife and weapons offenses have also prompted recent police action. In Mangochi, law enforcement officers arrested Obvious Kakuni and Geoffrey Chikoya on September 6 after they were allegedly found with seven pieces of concealed elephant ivory, according to Face of Malawi. Meanwhile, Face of Malawi reports that Mwanza Police took 40-year-old Peter Peshi into custody after discovering firearms and ammunition hidden inside his vehicle.
On the judicial front, the Chief Resident Magistrate's Court in Thyolo sentenced two men to 10 years of imprisonment with hard labour in separate cases involving the defilement of two different 14-year-old girls, Face of Malawi reports. Additionally, Nyasa Times notes that the Consumer Association of Malawi issued a statement on September 5 accusing government officials of corruption regarding diesel generator contracts, claiming the arrangements serve only to enrich a few individuals while the public continues to suffer from power blackouts.