By Edna Moyo

Phalombe, February 28, Mana: Police in Phalombe are keeping in custody three men for conspiracy to commit felony and criminal trespass at Nkhulambe Health Centre in the district where they allegedly wanted to load a container into a lorry without permission of the health authorities.

Phalombe Police Station Public Relations Officer Jimmy Kapanja identified the three as Patrick Chatika, 42, from Ngani Village, Traditional Authority Khumpha in Likoma District, Harrison Njatula, 71, from Kasapato Village, Traditional Authority Ganya in Ntcheu District and Chikondi Kachepa, 24, from Namaonya Village, Traditional Authority Nsabwe in Thyolo District.

“On February 27, 2024, around 07:00 hours, the driver and his assistant went to Nkhulambe Health Centre on a lorry, Leyland DAF registration number RU 3272 with an attempt to load a 20-feet container at Nkhulambe Health Centre,” Kapanja said.

He said police officers at Nkhulambe Police Unit became suspicious of the act and asked the men to show documents of approval to carry the container that was modified into an office.

“They failed to show any document but said they were sent by the owner of vehicle they were using who was in Blantyre by the time of the incident,” Kapanja explained.

He added that when Phalombe District Health Office was contacted, the office denied any knowledge about people sent to transfer the container from Nkhulambe Health Centre.

Nkhulambe Health Centre suspended its operations following Tropical Cyclone Freddy induced rains which damaged the facility.

Police arrested the owner of the lorry the same day (Tuesday) at night, according to Phalombe Police publicist.

All the suspects will appear in court soon to answer the charges leveled against them.