MEC official caught ‘shoplifting’ at Mzuzu PEP Stores

A Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) official, Naomi Gondwe,  got the humiliation of a lifetime when she was caught red-handed trying to steal a pair of shoes from PEP Stores in Mzuzu City last week.

An eye witness, Samuel Kamanga, told Nyasa Times that Gondwe was locked in the shop for about an hour as a mob had steadily started gathering outside the premises “to teach her a lesson.”

According to Kamanga, Police came in later and managed to go away with Gondwe – but with difficulties.

This reporter tried to talk to one of the officials at the stores but he was told “we do not have a spokesperson here. Talk to our head office.”

But later, one of the workers, speaking on condition of anonymity revealed that “it was likely Gondwe had connived with one of the shop attendants.”

She said “our salaries are meager and so we sometimes cash in on things like these. It is just unfortunate that today’s venture has been busted.”

Surprisingly, Nyasa Times learnt, Gondwe is a senior MEC official at the regional headquarters who even drives a posh car.

“One wonders why such a person could stoop so low and attempt to steal a pair of shoes,” wondered Kamanga.