By Patience Longwe

Lilongwe, February 20, Mana: Lilongwe Police are holding Wang Jixiang, 27, in custody for allegedly diverting K70 million, which he was entrusted to deposit at the bank, and subsequently gambling it away at a casino on February 19, 2025.

According to Lilongwe Police spokesperson Hastings Chigalu, authorities have also arrested Wen Jui, 50, on suspicion of harboring Wang Jixiang.

Reports indicate that Wang, a shop manager at Area 2 in the capital city, was instructed by his employers to use the company vehicle to make the bank deposit. However, after the suspect took the money, he went missing, and his phone became unreachable.

"After allegedly taking the money and driving his employer's vehicle, the suspect went missing, and his phone went out of reach," Chigalu said.

Following a report of Wang’s disappearance, detectives launched an immediate investigation and search, which led them to discover that he was hiding in Area 43, at the home of the second suspect, Wen Jui.

During interrogation, Wang admitted to using the stolen amount for gambling at a casino and revealed that he had abandoned his employer's vehicle near Bwaila District Hospital. The vehicle was later recovered by detectives.

Wang Jixiang and Wen Jui will face charges of theft by servant and harboring, respectively.