Balaka Police have arrested 10 suspects and recovered several items believed to have been stolen in an intelligence-led operation in Balaka Township on the night of September 20–21, 2026.
Inspector Gladson M’bumpha, public relations officer for Balaka Police Station, said the arrests followed investigations into a robbery at Ma-One Logistics, a Chinese-owned company in Luwalazi Village under Traditional Authority Nsamala in Balaka District, on the night of July 15–16, 2026.
During the robbery, a gang of criminals allegedly attacked two security guards and stole six 200-litre metal drums of used oil, a generator, three tarpaulins, two sets of tiles and two mobile phones belonging to the guards.
Police launched investigations and obtained search warrants to trace the stolen phones. Call records from telecommunications service providers reportedly led investigators to one of the phones, which was found in the possession of MacDonald Ndala, 35. Police traced Ndala and recovered the phone, leading to the arrest of nine other suspects.
The suspects are MacDonald Ndala, 35, who is suspected of receiving stolen property; Frank Makanjila, 24; Jimmy Tadeo, 23; Kingsley Likongwa, 23; John Kaliati, 26; Madalo Dennis, 26; Lemo James, 22; and Robert Moyo, 36, who are all suspected of robbery; and MacDonald Mbewe, 50, and Aubrey Chambo, 32, who are both suspected of receiving stolen property.
All the suspects are from Balaka District. According to police, the suspects “voluntarily admitted” during questioning that they attacked the guards and committed the offences at Ma-One Logistics. They are expected to appear in court soon to answer the charges.
