By Rahim Abdul
Police in Lilongwe have arrested four men in connection with the theft of iron sheets valued at K150 million from Kingsteel Malata in Area 47.
The suspects have been identified as Paul Joseph, 26, a forklift operator at the company; Gift Hallowaya, 33; Leonard Matiasi, 34; and truck driver Kennedy Wizard, 49.
The incident occurred on June 28, 2026, at around 1:00 a.m., when the suspects allegedly broke into the company’s premises. They tied up three security guards, dismantled and stole the Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) system, before breaking into the warehouse and stealing 13 stacks of iron sheets.
The suspects also stole 20 pairs of industrial safety boots, a plasma screen used for the CCTV system, and other items.
Following investigations, police first arrested the company’s forklift operator, who admitted to using the forklift to load the stolen iron sheets onto a truck. He subsequently led investigators to the arrest of the other suspects.
Further investigations led police to the truck in Kanengo, where its driver was arrested. Investigations revealed that the driver had falsely informed his employer that the truck horse had been involved in an accident, when in fact it had been hired to transport the stolen property.
Meanwhile, police have launched a manhunt for other suspects who remain at large.
The four suspects are expected to appear before court soon to answer a charge of robbery.
Paul Joseph hails from Mgwayi Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Njewa, Lilongwe District; Gift Hallowaya is from Chipusile Village, T/A Kwataine, Ntcheu District; Leonard Matiasi comes from Chilonga Village, T/A Mauwa, Chiradzulu District; and Kennedy Wizard is from Kaipsa Village, T/A Changata in Thyolo District.
