Shoot to kill: Malawi Police shoot dead two habitual criminals

Malawi Police have shot dead two habitual criminals in Area 25 sector 7 in the capital city of Lilongwe who had stolen over K2 million from a Zomba-based accountant working for the Zomba-Neno Rehabilitation Development Programme.

Police ambushed and killed the criminals in a gunfire exchange on Thursday night.

National police spokesperson, Rhoda Manjolo said the law-officers killed the two in retaliation after one of them shot at the officers who had surrounded their house in Area 25 sector 7.

The incident happened hours after the Inspector General of police, Lexten Kachama told the 1,800 new recruits, the officers have legal backing to use any force in dealing with criminals.

Manjolo disclosed that the law-enforcers were hunting for the two who once attacked Mrs. Gertrude Rahema Mgaye and robbed her off money amounting to K2, 460,000.00.

”They left Lilongwe for Blantyre where they robbed Mrs. Mgaye using unidentified rifle. They were using Toyota Corolla registration BP 8922,” disclosed Manjolo.

She added: ”The victim lodged a complaint at Blantyre police who notified their counterparts in Lilongwe.”

Through intelligence collection CID personnel in Lilongwe, the law-enforcers ambushed the criminals in Area 25 sector 7 where a gunfire exchange ensued.

The officers have managed to recover after a search, a vehicle Honda Saloon registration NE 2584 which the two were using, AK47 with 20 live ammunitions and a pistol with 7 live rounds of ammunition.

”They also recovered three vehicles the Honda saloon, Toyota Haice Mini bus registration BN 7154 and Toyota Carina BR 1704. The number plate which they used when robbing Mrs Gertrude Mgaye (BP 8922) was found in the Honda Saloon,” added Manjolo.

Manjolo said Police were “thankful” to the public for giving cops “vital information” which led to the crackdown of the habitual criminals.