Police in the border district of Mchinji, have arrested a 42 year old man for impersonating a police officer and obtaining money by false pretense.

Mchinji Police Station Deputy Public Relations Officer, Rome Chauluka said on April 7, 2018 at Mchinji Boma, the suspect, Staff Amani met some people who had gone to Mchinji Police Station to see their detained relatives.

“On this day, the suspect approached a certain man, aged 73(name withheld) whose son was in custody. The suspect introduced himself to the father of the detainee, as a police officer Detective Sergeant Panganani, based at Mchinji Police Station, and told the father that he would help him release his son who was in custody,” Chauluka explained.

Chauluka said Amani and the father exchanged phone numbers for easy communication and the alleged police officer told the father that his son was not well in custody, and there was need for money meant for processing his release.

“The father met Amani at Mchinji Police lines and gave the suspect K25, 000.00 and was assured that his son would be released but after a few days, the father got suspicious when his son who was on charges of defilement was committed to Maula prison,” said Chauluka.

The father reported the matter to Mchinji police station where investigations have led to the arrest of the suspect.

The suspect will soon be taken to court to answer charges of obtaining money by false pretense contrary to section 319 of the penal code.

Staff Amani, 42, hails from Msonthe village in the area of Traditional Authority Liwonde in Machinga.