By Chisomo Phiri
Malawi Police in the capital Lilongwe are keeping in custody two people on suspicion that they stole cash equivalent to K145.2 million from a certain businessman who boarded their taxi while on his way to Mchinji, at Mango stage near Airwing Turn-off.
Police have since recovered K5 million, and a Honda Fit vehicle valued at K10 million, suspected to have been bought with proceeds from the theft.
The suspects have been identified as Joseph Kamanga, 32, commonly known as AKA Ntonga, among his peers, and Symon Botoman, 31.
It is said that on this day the victim (businessman), was coming from Gateway Mall, and he stopped at Mchinji roundabout near MRA offices, waiting to board lifts to Mchinji to deliver the dollars to his friend.
While at the stage, four unknown people who were on a vehicle picked him on the pretext that it was a taxi going to Mchinji Boma.
However, after reaching Mango stage, a distance of just a kilometer away from where they picked him, the four occupants told the victim that they were not proceeding with the journey anymore.
They told the victim to exit the car.
As the victim was busy struggling with the doors that were deliberately engaged with childlock system, the gangsters systematically opened the laptop bag, and stole a plastic bag that contained the dollars, without the victim knowing.
The victim realized later that his bag was opened, and cash stolen after the criminals had already drove away.
Following a thorough analysis of the gathered intelligence, Lilongwe Police detectives identified the culprits, and later arrested the two in Mzuzu City.
Manhunt for the remaining two suspects is underway.
Joseph Kamanga hails from Thula Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Kabunduli, Nkhatabay, and Symon Botoman comes from Sinde Village, (T/A) Chidzunde in Kasungu District.
