Police in Balaka have recovered a motor vehicle, a Toyota Fortuner 2015 model suspected to have been stolen in South Africa, Malawi News Agency (Mana) has established.

Balaka Police Station Public Relations Officer(PRO), Edith Kachotsa told Mana Monday in Balaka that the police received a tip that a white Toyota Fortuner with a South African registration number BP 03 DR GP had entered the country through uncharted routes.

“The vehicle defied police order to stop at Senzani adhoc roadblock when it was waved to stop. Instead it started cruising at a higher speed than before,” she said.

“Balaka police made a follow up which led to the successful recovery of the motor vehicle along Mbera – Kachenga Road within Balaka district,” Kachotsa added.

The PRO added that the Police arrested Omar Anusa Ngaunje and Gift Sawabu in connection with the suspected stolen vehicle. She said the police were still investigating the matter.

Ngaunje, 47, hails from Idrusi Village in Traditional Authority Jalasi whilst Sawabu, 27, comes from Gundaphiri Village in Traditional Authority Mponda in Mangochi.

According to Kachotsa, both suspects will appear before court within lawful period of time to answer the case of bringing in property suspected to have been dishonestly acquired outside Malawi contrary to Section 333 of the Penal Code.