Arrests Made in Balaka for Alleged Fraudulent Activities

Two individuals, Jonas Kazembe and Catherine Kamodzi, were arrested in Balaka for allegedly attempting to defraud villagers by posing as representatives of the Tithandizane 2032 Program. They charged locals K3,000 to register for purported benefits and were found without valid documentation. The police have confiscated their mobile phones, and the investigation is ongoing as both suspects prepare for court.

Two individuals have been arrested in Balaka for allegedly attempting to defraud local residents. The suspects, identified as 32-year-old Jonas Kazembe and 32-year-old Catherine Kamodzi, allegedly committed their offense on March 8, 2025, in Chauluka Village, located in Traditional Authority Nsamala.

Inspector Gladson M’bumpha of the Balaka Police Station reported that the pair approached residents claiming to represent the Tithandizane 2032 Program, which was purportedly registering locals for benefits. They scanned National Identity Cards from the villagers using their mobile phones and charged a fee of K3,000 for this service.

Upon receiving complaints, police detectives intervened and found that the suspects were unable to provide any legitimate registration documents. Additionally, Balaka’s District Commissioner, Tamanya Harawa, stated that he was unaware of any organization conducting such activities in the area, prompting an ongoing investigation.

Authorities have confiscated two mobile phones from the suspects. Jonas Kazembe hails from Kalimanjira in Traditional Authority Makwangala, whereas Catherine Kamodzi is from Namata Village in Traditional Authority Mkhumba in Phalombe. Both individuals are expected to appear in court shortly to face charges related to their alleged fraudulent actions.

The arrests of Jonas Kazembe and Catherine Kamodzi highlight attempts at fraudulent activity targeting local residents in Balaka. Despite their claims of affiliation with a development program, police found no evidence to support their registration efforts. As the investigation continues, it underscores the importance of vigilance against similar scams.

Original Source: malawi24.com