Police arrest Mangochi councillor over K2.8mil

Police in Mangochi have arrested a councillor who reported that thieves had stolen K2.8 million development  fund.

Mangochi police station officer Elijah Kachikuwo confirmed Shadreck Banda, who had days earlier reported that thieves broke into his room at a lodge in Mangochi and stole the money, is now in police hands.

“There are several questions he needs to answer. There are several issues we need to find out.

“ Why is it that he took all that money and decided to put up at a lodge? How does the Mangochi district council disburse development money, does the council give to a single person like thar? There are several unanswered questions,” he said.

Banda reported that the money, which he said was meant for payment of workers who did development work in his area, was stolen on the night of February 10 and 11, 2016.

Kachikuwo said it was surprising that council officials say they did not give the councillor the money.

“They are saying they do not know about the money, this is surprising,” said Kachikuwo.

He said although Banda is a complainant, the law enforcers arrested him because of the unaswered questions.

Kachikuwo said the police have not recovered the money neither have they suspected the suspected thieves.