In an update to the recent wave of high-profile arrests in Lilongwe, two senior executives from the National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) have been detained in connection with a 700 million kwacha fraud scandal, according to Nyasa Times. Deputy Chief Executive Officer Miklas Reuben and Senior Operations Manager Thokozani Jacob Sesani were arrested over the alleged fraudulent transfer of over $403,000 to a Mozambican bank account. Malawi Police Service Deputy National Public Relations Officer Alfred Chimthere confirmed the arrests, noting the suspects are expected to face charges of negligence and misuse of public office.
In a separate development, Fiscal Police have arrested former Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chief Elections Officer Andrew Mpesi and three other senior officials, Nyasa Times reports. The arrests follow an ongoing probe into the financial practices of the electoral body. The other detained individuals include Director of Human Resources Yasinto Chikapa, Director of Finance Khumbo Alfred Phiri, and Chief Executive Officer for Finance and Administration Andrew Michael Kamkwala. Authorities indicated the four men are facing charges of money laundering and abuse of office.
Meanwhile, activist Agape Khombe has been remanded to Maula Prison after being charged with cyberstalking and offensive communication, according to allAfrica. State prosecutor Prescott Mwayiulipo confirmed Khombe was arrested for allegedly cyberbullying private practice lawyer Edgar Kachere through Facebook posts regarding a property transaction involving Malawian footballer Tabitha Chawinga. Khombe was denied bail by the court due to a history of absconding in an unrelated case.