Three police officers have been arrested in connection to the burglary that took place on Saturday at Villa Casablanca Manor, Ndata Farm in Thyolo of the former president late Bingu wa Mutharika.

Police have confirmed the incident and issued an arrest of the police officers from Police Mobile Service (PMS) B Company in Limbe. The suspects have been identified as Chisomo Kaleso, Mayeso Mwansambo and Luka Magodo.

According to police sources, the three were on duty guarding Ndata Farm from 19th July 2014 to 2nd August 2014. When their shift ended (on 2nd August), they left for Blantyre in a police coaster but when one of the security officers, Robert Mwase patrolled the Villa, he noticed that one of the windows was broken and immediately reported the matter to chief security officer Samuel Salle. Salle also discovered that a DSTV decoder was missing and called Bangwe Police Station to stop the coaster and search the police officers.

“After search, Kaleso was found with a weighing scale while Mwansambo with window curtains. When the coaster was searched, more items were found; a grinder, six socket breakers, one main switch and four bulb holders,” said the source.

The two police officers were arrested on Sunday, 3rd August 2014 and their houses were searched.

On Monday, 4th August 2014, information reached police that Magodo was selling items at Manja, where he stays, suspected to have been stolen from Villa Casablanca Minor. He was also arrested and several items were recovered.

Southern Region police spokesperson Nicholas Gondwa said on Tuesday it was true that three of their officers have been arrested in connection to the matter.

He said they have been charged with theft and have since been remanded at Chichiri Prison for further investigations.