In Nkhata Bay District, police are keeping in custody four people for allegedly being connected to a syndicate of theft of motorbikes around Chikale, Mpamba and Mkondezi areas in the district.

Nkhata-Bay Police station spokesperson Kondwani James said the suspects have been identified as Brighton Mbewe aged 31 of Muwanga Village, Traditional Authority Mwaulambya in Chitipa, Nickson Simpungwe age 27 of Chapema Village, Traditional Authority Timbiri in Nkhata Bay District, Lazaro Ndhlovu aged 31 of Maleni Village, Traditional Mzukuzuku and a 19-year-old Chimwemwe Chizumira of Kathazi Village, Traditional Authority Kampingosibande in Mzimba District.

James added that the arrest followed strategic investigations instituted on complaints lodged by various victims of the syndicate including that of Joseph Ngwira, who complained about the missing of his Kinglion motorbike worthy Three Million Malawi Kwacha which allegedly got stolen on 5 January 2025.

The suspects were arrested on 13 January 2025 within Salisbury Line in Mzuzu City where they fled to, and they led the investigators to a place where they had hidden two motorcycles which were successfully recovered with their engine and chassis numbers tampered with, to conceal their identity.

James has since revealed that all the suspects have been charged with burglary and theft and are expected to be taken to court after paper work.