Balaka Police Arrest Two Suspects for Fraudulent Activities

Two individuals, Jonas Kazembe and Catherine Kamodzi, were arrested in Balaka for allegedly attempting to defraud locals by posing as representatives of a fictitious program. They were caught charging residents for registration services using mobile phones to scan National Identity Cards. The suspects failed to produce any legitimate organizational documents, and the investigation is ongoing.

The Police in Balaka have apprehended two individuals, Jonas Kazembe and Catherine Kamodzi, for allegedly attempting to defraud local residents. The suspects, both aged 32, were reported to have engaged in deceptive practices on March 8, 2025, in Chauluka Village within the Traditional Authority Nsamala area of Balaka District.

Inspector Gladson M’bumpha, the publicist for Balaka Police Station, reported that Kazembe and Kamodzi misled villagers by claiming to represent the Tithandizane 2032 Program, which purportedly aimed to register locals for various benefits. They allegedly scanned residents’ National Identity Cards using mobile phones and charged each person K3,000 for this service.

Following the report of suspicious activity, Balaka Police detectives quickly responded to the scene. Upon questioning, the suspects could not provide any registration documents to validate their claims. District Commissioner Tamanya Harawa was notified and confirmed that he was unaware of any such program operating in the district. The investigation into this matter is ongoing.

The police have confiscated the two mobile phones belonging to the accused individuals. Kazembe resides in Kalimanjira, Traditional Authority Makwangala in Ntcheu, while Kamodzi is from Namata Village in Traditional Authority Mkhumba, Phalombe. Both suspects are expected to appear in court shortly to face charges of acts with intent to defraud.

In conclusion, the arrests of Jonas Kazembe and Catherine Kamodzi highlight ongoing concerns regarding fraudulent schemes targeting local communities in Balaka. Their claims, associated with the non-existent Tithandizane 2032 Program, were promptly addressed by police intervention. This case emphasizes the importance of vigilance against deceptive practices and the role of police in protecting community members from fraud.

Original Source: malawi24.com