Robbers invade MangochiPetroda, steal K2.4m

Robbers on Monday attacked Petroda Filling Station in Mangochi and stole K2.4 million.

The robbers, five in number, are reported to have used a Toyota Corolla registration MN 833 and arrived at the service station pretending to be customers seeking to buy oil. They attacked the shop attendant and demanded keys for the room where money is kept.

National Police spokesperson Rhoda Manjolo said the robbers escaped from the scene, but three of them were later arrested by police at Chimwala Roadblock. Two are still at large.

She identified the arrested trio as HankeNsonthi (29), Yusuf Nyamkawa (39)  and James Solomon (23). Solomon was the driver.

Said Manjolo: “Police managed to arrest three robbers and they were taken to court where two of them namely Nsonthi and Nyamkawa were convicted and sentenced to eight years imprisonment with hard labour each.

“However, the Mangochi Second Grade Magistrate’s Court acquitted Solomon after it was established that he was just hired to offer transport services  without knowing that his clients were robbers.”

Nsonthi hails from Susu Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Mpama in Chiradzulu whereas Nyamkawa hails from Chimgwanya Village, T/A Jalasi in Mangochi.

Manjolo said police are still hunting for the two who are on the run.