DPP’s Ngalande arrested over ‘hot cars’
Lilongwe-based politician and businessman Tony Ngalande who recently dumped opposition Peoples Party (PP) to joind ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has been arrested for allegedly being involved in cross-border motor vehicle thefts, police have confirmed.
Ngalande earlier this year resigned from PP both as a member and as Deputy Director of Social Services to concentrate on his business but did not indicate leaving front line politics.
National police confirmed to Nyasa Times, arresting Ngalande who is currently remanded at Maula Prison. He was arrested on Wednesday 17th February.
“Yes in our records it indicates that Mr. Tony Ngalande has been arrested and is currently on remand,” explained National police deputy Public Relations Officer, Thomeck Nyaude.
Nyaude said Ngalande has been arrested on several charges latest being bringing in goods acquired wrongly from outside the country.
He did not elaborate what type of goods but information Nyasa Times has sourced indicate that Ngalande has been on both local police and Interpol watch-list for some time over stolen vehicles from South Africa.
His joining of ruling DPP was viewed as seeking amnesty from prosecution.
“There are several cases that we have been investigating against him. The latest is about bringing in property dishonestly acquired from outside the country,” Nyaude added.
Ngalande is expected to be arraigned in court soon for bringing into Malawi of property dishonestly acquired or stolen outside in accordance to Section 331 of the Penal Code.
Chapter 7:01 of the Penal Code criminalizes the receiving or bringing into Malawi of property dishonestly acquired or stolen outside the country, an offence punishable by imprisonment for up to seven years.
The Road Traffic (Regulations and Licensing) Regulations 2000 made under the Road Traffic Act (chapter 69:01) as well as Road Traffic (International—Circulation) Regulations also control crimes related to motor vehicle thefts.
Ngalande, contesting on PP’s ticket in Balaka North Constituency, lost in the 2014 Parliamentary race to United Democratic Front (UDF) member Lucius Banda.
PP Administration and Publicity Secretary Ken Msonda once described Ngalande as a successful
businessman and also a very dedicated Christian.