Bogus MEC staff dupe 194 job seekers
It never rains but pours for the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC). With dust yet to settle over an alleged syndicate producing counterfeit voter identity cards, police in Mzuzu have arrested four people who duped 194 people by posing as MEC officials.
The MEC impostors collected money from the unsuspecting victims to offer them employment as monitors during the 2014 Tripartite Elections.
This fresh syndicate was also taking place in Mzuzu where the bogus MEC officials posed as cashier and photographer and other officials. They collected K78 300 (about $195) in total. Each person was charged K500 ($1.25).
Mzuzu Police spokesperson Maurice Chapola on Wednesday identified the four as Chingoli Chirwa (45) of Manolo Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Timbiri in Nkhata Bay, Chimwemwe Gondwe (23) of Katumbi Village ,T/A Kafuzira in Nkhotakota, Gift Botha (18) of T/A Chikulamayembe in Rumphi and Edson Ulaya (22) from Mtanila Village, T/A Chakhaza in Dowa.
He said the arrest followed a complaint from MEC.
Said Chapola: “MEC received reports that the suspects were receiving K500s from the residents who showed willingness to be employed as MEC monitors in the forthcoming tripartite Elections.
“On August 6 2013 at around 0900hrs officials from the electoral body were out to establish the truth on the fast spread rumour. The group reportedly found the suspects busy receiving money from the citizens.
“It is also reported that among the suspects were a cashier and a photographer who was there to take ID photos as they were reportedly cheated that they will be given MEC identity cards.
“Confirmed reports indicate that 194 people have been robbed of their money by the suspects. It is on record that the suspects raised K78 300 from those that they managed to deceive.”
The suspects have since been charged with obtaining money by false pretence contrary to Section 319(1) of the Penal Code.
If convicted of the offence, the accused face a maximum sentence of seven years imprisonment with hard labour. The four will appear in court “soon”, according to police.
Meanwhile, police have appealed to residents to guard against such tricks and to report suspects to authorities.
Two weeks ago, police in Mzuzu also arrested two people for producing counterfeit MEC voter registration cards and selling them at K1 500 each.
The case is currently in court in Mzuzu.
