Police in Machinga Saturday arrested Malawi Fertilizers Company Assistant Manager Mac Loud Nyanda, Chief Security Officer Likoya Nkhoma and seven other employees for allegedly stealing 8.5 metric tons of fertilizers from Liwonde factory equivalent to about 300 bags of 50 kilogrammes each.

Police have confirmed the arrest of 29 year old Nyanda and Khoma aged 50 after General Manager, Jahan Scheeper reported the alleged theft of the fertilizers to Liwonde Police.

Police also arrested, John Shawa, 37, Chifundo Mulima, 32, James Kambalame, 24, Golden Mikundi, 25, Emmanuel Mwanayekha, 26, Justin Matinga, 26, Chitsanzo Alamuson, 34 for the alleged theft of the farm inputs.

According to the police the theft took place during the night of April 16 this year when an identified person switched off the company’s CCTV.

Machinga Police Spokesperson, Constable Davie Sulumba says the nine will answer charges of ‘Theft by Servant’ which are contrary to Section 286 of the Penal Code.

Nyanda comes from Nyondwe Village, Traditional Authority, Msakambewa in Dowa while Nkhoma comes from Vayiti Village, Traditional Authority Bvumbwe in Thyolo.

Before joining Malawi Fertilizers Company Nyanda worked for First Merchant Bank, Liwonde Branch as Business Development Officer.

He was fired from the Company and later joined the Liwonde based Fertilizer Company situated about five hundred meters from the Bank.