Two Arrested for Fraudulent Activities in Balaka, Malawi

Two individuals, Jonas Kazembe and Catherine Kamodzi, were arrested in Balaka for allegedly attempting to defraud local residents by posing as representatives of a fictitious benefits program and charging fees for registration services.

Police in Balaka have apprehended two individuals, identified as Jonas Kazembe and Catherine Kamodzi, both aged 32, for allegedly attempting to defraud locals. According to Balaka Police Station publicist, Inspector Gladson M’bumpha, the arrests occurred on March 8, 2025, in Chauluka Village under Traditional Authority Nsamala.

The pair reportedly approached villagers, claiming affiliation with the “Tithandizane 2032 Program” and offered to register residents for benefits. They used mobile phones to scan National Identity Cards, charging a fee of K3,000.

Upon receiving a complaint, Balaka detectives investigated and found that Kazembe and Kamodzi could not produce any official registration documents. The District Commissioner, Tamanya Harawa, confirmed he was unaware of any such initiative in the area, and the matter remains under investigation.

Police have seized the suspects’ cellphones as evidence. Kazembe originates from Kalimanjira in Traditional Authority Makwangala, while Kamodzi is from Namata Village in Traditional Authority Mkhumba, both will face court charges for their alleged fraudulent activities.

In summary, the Balaka Police have arrested Jonas Kazembe and Catherine Kamodzi for attempted fraud involving a fake registration program. The suspects mislead villagers into believing they were registering them for a benefits program, charging them a fee while lacking official authorization. The investigation is ongoing, and they will soon appear in court to respond to the charges against them.

Original Source: malawi24.com