Four Malawi Police officers in court for theft
Four Police officers appeared before Blantyre Magistrates Court this week to answer charges of theft contrary to Section 278 of the Penal Code.
The officers, who pleaded not guilty to the charge of theft, were dragged to court for stealing K600, 000 from a Mozambican businessman, Joao Carlos plying his trade in Mbayani Township, Blantyre.
According to information presented in court, the four Vilije Moyo 29 years old of Kasuka village T/A Kaluluma in Kasungu, Edward Kazembe 32 years old of Mgundadzuwa T/A Kaphuka in Dedza, Clemence Palasa aged 32 from Nsamama village T/A Mponda in Mangochi and Mphatso Lijambe 33 years old from Namaponya village T/A Mwambo in Zomba were officers at Kabula Police unit in Blantyre.
The information indicates that on or about July 2 this year, the four stole K600,000 from Joao Carlos.
Withdrawn
However, Carlos has since withdrawn the case from the court.
Carlos on Tuesday soon after the four officers took plea, asked the court for the case to be withdrawn, saying the four have already started paying back the money.
“I would like to withdraw the case,” Carlos told the court.
“As businessman I have noted that the case has taken so long to conclude and that the officers have already started paying back the money. They have paid back K400, 000 and are yet to pay the remaining balance of K200, 000. To that view, I feel it is improper to continue the case.”
However, Carlos’s action has raised eyebrows and it is suspected that the officers forced him to withdrawal the matter from the court in order to protect their jobs.
