By Patience Longwe

Lilongwe, February 27, Mana: Lilongwe police are keeping in custody two men and a woman for allegedly stealing K6 million from a Zambian national who boarded their car which was operating as a taxi on Wednesday, February 26, 2025.

According to Lilongwe Police Spokesperson Hastings Chigalu, the suspects have been identified as Davie Kaunda, 34, Habib Foster, 26, and a well-known habitual suspect Charity Kathumba, 26.

Chigalu said, the suspects, operating a Mira motor vehicle registration number NN 11689, picked a Zambian national at Mchinji Boma who was coming to Lilongwe for personal business.

"Upon arrival at Area 4 Ziboliboli stage at around 1:00 Oclock in the afternoon when the passenger (victim) wanted to drop off from the car, he failed after several attempts due to locked doors following a child-lock system the driver engaged.

“After sensing danger while the car was still in motion, the victim while in the backseat, powerfully grabbed the steering wheel and started tussling with the driver which forced the car to stop in the middle of the road,” he said.

Chigalu added,” This is when Kaunda who was in the backseat, and Charity who was in front, immediately got out of the car and started to run away allegedly with the bag that contained the cash. However, after shouting for help, well-wishers responded and apprehended Kaunda, and Foster (driver), while Charity managed to flee the scene with cash.

The Police publist further said some angry people started assaulting the suspects severely and wanted to set them ablaze, before being rescued.

Later in the evening, following an intensive manhunt, a detective arrested Charity at Kaphiri whilst on a hire motorcycle planning to flee the city.

Meanwhile, police said efforts are underway to recover the money.

The suspects will appear in court soon to face a case of theft.

Chigalu said Charity Kathumba was also arrested on November 7, 2024, for committing similar offences, however, her robbery case, alongside two other male accomplices, stalled after they stopped honouring court bail conditions.

Davie Kaunda hails from Kabunduli Village, Traditional Authority ( T/A)  Kabunduli in Nkhata-Bay while Habib Foster is from Mthiramanja Village, T/A Mthiramanja, and Charity Kathumba comes from Chitambi Village, T/ A Chikumbu, both in Mulanje District. Mana/pl/tv