A Police officer is in police custody at Mwanza Police Station for aiding three people smuggle a Toyota Land Cruiser allegedly stolen from the Republic of South Africa.

According to reliable inside sources, the officer, Sub Inspector Francis Ntalawe of the Thambani Police Unit, aided three others to smuggle the vehicle which had a Malawian registration number BW 4449.

Meanwhile, Mwanza police spokesperson Edwin Kaunda has only confirmed the arrest of three other people asking for more time to comment on the colleague.

Kaunda confirmed arresting the driver Gift Henry Banda aged 33, Mussa Sawabu 23, and Lahim Mtambo 23, but was mum to comment the colleague.

The police intercepted the vehicle on Thambani road as it nearly reached Mwanza boma, following a tip-off from well-wishers according to Kaunda.

Kaunda further disclosed that, upon police interrogations, Banda told the police that he bypassed the Mwanza border because he had no money to pay duty tax, but verification with Interpol revealed the vehicle was stolen at gunpoint in South Africa on May 19th this year.

All the three who come from Mangochi district are expected to appear in court upon completion of police investigations currently underway.