Police in Zomba are keeping in custody three women from Thyolo for shoplifting goods amounting to MK65,000 belonging to Fair Wall Superette in the district, authorities have confirmed.

The arrested are Mercy James aged 27 and Ida James aged 20, both from Kautuka village Traditional Authority Mchilamwera and Christina Paul aged 28 from Chungu village Traditional Authority Bvubwe in Thyolo.

Speaking with Malawi News Agency, Zomba Police Public Relations Officer, Patricia Sipiliano said the three women were arrested after they were caught on closed circuit television (CCTV) hand picking items from the shelves into their handbags.

“The Manager of the superette noted that some things were missing from the shelves and went to review the videos from the cameras. It was then that the three were spotted shoplifting the items,” said Sipiliano.

She said he then reported the issue to the police on Saturday 28 May who then tracked them down and made the arrest yesterday.

“After questioning them they admitted to the crime and confessed they have been stealing from the shop and selling them in Ndirande and Bangwe, Blantyre.

So far the police have recovered 24 tins of 400grams Lactogen milk and 3 tins of S26 milk.

The three are expected to appear before the court soon to respectively answer to the charge of theft.