Police, robbers exchange fire
Police in Mulanje yesterday gunned down an armed robber and severely injured another in a shoot-out that took place in Mimosa Forest in the district.
The exchange started after the robbers shot two police officers, who were manning a checkpoint at Ng’omba along the Mulanje-Muloza Road, before stealing a police rifle type BXP.
Mulanje Police Station spokesperson Gresham Ngwira identified the two as Edwin M’bwana, 32, and Chimwemwe Frank, 36, who were residents of Mbayani Township in Blantyre.
Ngwira said the two, wearing masks, emerged from the tea plantation and invaded the road block where they shot and wounded sub-Inspector Masautso Phiri with a parabellam pistol type 9MM before snatching his gun.
He said the robbers fled into the forest and, with the help of community members, the police followed and the ensuing exchange seriously injured the robbers. The police also recovered the pistol and the police firearm.
In another incident, police have arrested two robbers who were among a gang that broke into Thyolo Sports Club around 1am yesterday and went away with assorted items, including a plasma television set and DVD.
Commissioner of Police for Southern Region Dempster Chigwenembe has hailed members of the community who were key during both incidents.
Briefing the media in Blantyre to give an update on the incidents, Chigwenembe said the members of the community are making police work exciting and encouraging.
In December 2014, armed robbers shot dead a police officer at First Merchant Bank (FMB) Blantyre Branch while in March last year another police officer was also killed in Limbe.
Another officer also died in June last year during a fierce exchange of fire with armed robbers in Lilongwe. n
