Two Arrested for Attempted Fraud in Balaka, Malawi
Two individuals have been arrested in Balaka for allegedly attempting to defraud locals by falsely claiming to register them for a non-existent program. The suspects charged K3,000 for scanning National Identity Cards, and both will face court proceedings imminently.
Police in Balaka have apprehended two individuals for allegedly engaging in fraudulent activities. The accused, Jonas Kazembe and Catherine Kamodzi, both aged 32, reportedly conducted their scheme on March 8, 2025, at Chauluka Village, located in Traditional Authority Nsamala in Balaka District.
Inspector Gladson M’bumpha of Balaka Police Station stated that the suspects entered the village claiming to represent the Tithandizane 2032 Program, stating they were registering residents to benefit from the initiative. They allegedly scanned the National Identity Cards of the villagers using mobile phones, demanding a fee of K3,000 in exchange.
Upon receiving information about the suspects, detectives from Balaka Police promptly arrived at the scene. During questioning, the duo could not provide any registration documents related to their supposed organization. Furthermore, District Commissioner Tamanya Harawa was notified, and he confirmed no knowledge of any such program operating in the district.
Currently, the investigation is ongoing, and police have confiscated two mobile phones belonging to the accused. Kazembe is reported to hail from Kalimanjira in Traditional Authority Makwangala, while Kamodzi is from Namata Village in Traditional Authority Mkhumba in Phalombe. They are expected to face charges in court soon for acts intended to defraud.
The Balaka Police’s swift action led to the arrest of Jonas Kazembe and Catherine Kamodzi, who are suspected of defrauding local residents under false pretenses. Their claims of representing the Tithandizane 2032 Program were unsubstantiated, and they have been unable to provide any proof of legitimacy. The investigation continues, with charges forthcoming as authorities work to address this fraudulent act.
Original Source: malawi24.com
