‘Lost’ but found: Presidential red carpet, tent
Daring robbers on Wednesday night pounced on a government vehicle on the Zalewa-Mwanza Road and stole a red carpet and tent meant for erection of President Lazarus Chakwera’s podium.
News of the stolen items went viral on social media platforms yesterday.
Police avoided connecting the items to State House with National Police spokesperson Peter Kalaya saying they were stolen from a Ministry of Transport and Public Works vehicle around 11pm.
He said the vehicle registration MG 476A was on its way to Mwanza “for official duties” and that the theft happened at Laundi Village.
Later in the day, Kalaya issued a second statement announcing that the carpet and the tent were recovered, and two suspects were arrested.
He said: “Malawi Police Service is there to execute its mandate of providing security for a safe and secure Malawi.”
The suspects are Lino Richard and Jonasi Harold, both aged 20, from Laundi Village, Traditional Authority Kanduku in Mwanza District.
The incident happened a day before President Lazarus Chakwera’s visit to the district today.
A statement signed by Secretary to the President and Cabinet Colleen Zamba yesterday indicated that the President is scheduled to assess progress in the construction of security officers’ houses at Mwanza Police Station before presiding over a ground breaking ceremony for Mwanza Stadium at the community centre ground.
The incident comes barely a week after thieves broke into the office of Vice-President Saulos Chilima at Capital Hill in Lilongwe where they stole biscuits and printer consumables.
Lingadzi Police Station spokesperson Salome Zgambo confirmed that some unknown persons broke in through the window of the bathroom in the office of the Principal Secretary
In 2021, there was another attempted break-in at the Office of the Vice-President which police said was dealt with and some ex-security officers at Capital Hill were arrested.
