Malawi hotel cleaner held over K2.7m theft from US tourist
Malawi Police in Mangochi have arrested a 30-year-old cleaner after she allegedly stole K2.7 million from an American tourist staying at a hotel in Balaka district.
Rabecca Selemani, who worked as a cleaner at Liwonde Sun, was taken into custody after being accused of robbing 47-year-old US national Monica Grant while cleaning her room.
According to Liwonde Police spokesperson Ngwashape Msume, the alleged theft took place on 10 August 2026, while Selemani was responsible for cleaning the room in which Grant was staying.
Police say Grant discovered later that evening that approximately K1.9 million, along with US$502 in cash, had gone missing from her room, prompting her to immediately report the matter to police at Mangochi Turn Off.
Msume confirmed that officers subsequently went to Selemani’s home to conduct a search, where they successfully recovered the full amount of the stolen money.
Selemani, who hails from Mtila Village under Traditional Authority Sitola in Machinga district, is expected to appear in court shortly to answer to the theft charge.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :
Why did that person have so much cash on hand? money laundering perhaps?
We do not condone stealing, but these slave wages many a time gives very little option–‘
She was hungry, please pardon her
Let’s be professional and appreciate whatever we earn otherwise we are tarnishing our Image as warm heart of Africa.
Wavuta ndi umphawi…😂😂😂
Not good for our tourism industry