A major police operation took place in Lilongwe on Tuesday when about 25 officers from the Fiscal Police and Area 30 searched an Area 14 residence linked to former Secretary to the President and Cabinet Colleen Zamba. According to Nyasa Times, the raid was part of a money laundering investigation authorized by a warrant from the Mkukula First Grade Magistrate Court, with officers reportedly looking for foreign currency. George Kadzipatike, Zamba's lawyer, stated that the six-hour search involving police dogs yielded nothing incriminating. Kadzipatike criticized the operation as excessive and warned that acting on unverified claims exposes the State to legal liability.
In Mwanza District, police have arrested two state hospital employees following the death of a newborn baby. Face of Malawi reports that Hary Moyo, 41, and Agness Phaka, 56, allegedly demanded a K100,000 bribe from an expectant mother before providing medical assistance. The resulting delay in treatment is suspected to have contributed to the baby's death. Police spokesperson Hope Kasakula confirmed the arrests, while Health Cabinet Secretary Madalitso Baloyi visited the facility to meet with hospital officials and investigate the incident.
Meanwhile, prominent lawyer and Member of Parliament George Kadzipatike has publicly accused NICO General Insurance Company of deceptive business practices and refusing to honour legitimate claims. Nyasa Times reports that Kadzipatike took to social media to outline how NICO agents aggressively recruited his office for an insurance policy, only to deny the payout when an insured event occurred. He stated that the insurance firm forced his office into a two-year court battle despite having received full premium payments, raising questions about corporate accountability within the Malawian insurance sector.
In Blantyre, a suspected car thief is in custody at Chilomoni Police Station after crashing a stolen KIA Sorento into the main gate of Sanjika Palace. According to Face of Malawi, the unidentified man was fleeing a pursuing crowd and had already collided with a Ford Ranger near the Malawi Revenue Authority offices before hitting the palace gate.
In separate legal news, the High Court in Mchinji has acquitted Enerst Chimpeni, who was previously convicted of defiling a minor. Face of Malawi notes that Judge Dorothy De Gabrielle overturned the conviction and ordered Chimpeni's release after finding significant procedural irregularities in the lower court's handling of the case. State Prosecutor Dzikondianthu Malunda welcomed the ruling, noting that the defendant had allegedly been misled by a national identity card showing the minor was over 18 years old.