Malawi bank robbery cop provided vehicle for the ‘hit’

A police officer who is among suspects of a K543.6 million robbery at Malawi’s Standard Bank Mzuzu Branch is suspected to have provided the vehicle for the ‘job’ and police have said that the police officer also stole the vehicle in Blantyre before driving it to the northern city to be used as a get-away car from the bank.

Police have since re-arrested the police officer Ken Kamwambi on two fresh counts of motor vehicle theft.

The cop was arrested as he was appearing before court in Mzuzu where he was waiting for authentication of sureties for his bail earlier granted by the court for the bank robbery case.

Almost 10 heavily armed police officers stormed the court to arrest him following a fresh warrant of arrest from Limbe Magistrate Court in Blantyre.

Northern Region Police spokesperson Maurice Chapola confirmed Kamwambi’s re-arrest following a fresh warrant of arrest issued by the magistrate’s court in Limbe, Blantyre.

“Kamwambi is suspected to have stolen a Toyota Ipsum, registration BR 6879, at Mudi Housing Estate in Limbe on July 27 2014. The vehicle belongs to JIF Khan,” said Chapola.

Chapola explained that the stolen vehicle was the same one used in the Mzuzu bank robbery and it will be used as exhibit in court for the bank robbery case.

“Kamwambi has also been re-arrested on another count of theft of a motor vehicle as he is suspected to have stolen a Toyota Corolla belonging to one Sagar Varia, an administrator at Chipiku Plus, Ginnery Corner in Blantyre,” added Chapola.

Apparently, before the bank robbery Kamwambi was already on wanted list by Limbe Police Station, according to the northern region police publicist.

Kamwambi has since been transferred  to Blantyre for prosecution.

His lawyer, George Kadzipatike, also confirmed the arrest, saying he has already worked on papers for bail application, which are to be filed in Blantyre.

“About 10 officers stormed the court to arrest him. Five of them were heavily armed and they waited for him outside as we were at the court finalising on sureties for the bail,” said Kadzipatike.