Police arrest three in Mzuzu for murder and armed robbery

Police in Mzuzu have arrested three individuals in connection with murder and a series of armed robbery cases in the city.

The suspects have been identified as Elia Levison, 30, Jimmy Nyirenda, 36, and Jimmy Adam, 42.

According to Mzuzu Police Station Deputy Public Relations Officer Cecilia Mfune, the arrests followed intensive investigations after a recent robbery on May 10, during which the suspects allegedly stole K5 million and a Samsung mobile phone worth K1 million from businessman Andrew Katona at Luwinga Township.

The suspects reportedly fired three live rounds into the air to threaten the victim.

“The first suspect was apprehended in Katoto. His arrest led to the capture of the other two suspects at Salisbury Lines Township. During the operation, another suspect, Patrick Phiri, 30, pointed a pistol loaded with six rounds at officers in an attempt to resist arrest. He was shot and later died while receiving treatment at Mzuzu Central Hospital,” said Mfune.

She added: “The three suspects confessed to robbing K100 million from a Mzuzu-based Indian national, Hassim Irfan, in April at Mapale. They also admitted to the murder of Chiukepo Sichali, a Mzuzu businessman who was shot dead in Mchengautuwa Township in March.”

Police have since seized a blue Toyota Vitz with registration number NA 6601, which was allegedly used in the commission of the crimes. Other recovered items include a pistol loaded with six live rounds, 52 additional live rounds, two mattresses, a home theatre system, a 42-inch plasma TV, and 40 bags of cement.

Mfune said the suspects will soon appear in court to face charges of murder and armed robbery, contrary to Sections 209 and 300 as read with Section 301 of the Penal Code.

The suspected three are Elia Levison aged 30, Jimmy Nyirenda aged 36, and Jimmy Adam aged 42.

According to Mzuzu Police Station Deputy Public Relations Officer Cecilia Mfune, the trio have been arrested following intensive investigations after their recent robbery on May 10, where they robbed five million kwacha and a Samsung mobile phone worth one million kwacha from businessman Andrew Katona at Luwinga Township after threatening him through firing live bullets three times into the air.

“The first suspect was apprehended at Katoto. His arrest led to the apprehension of the other two suspects at Salisbury Lines Township. During the arrest, one suspect Patrick Phiri, aged 30, who had a pistol loaded with six rounds pointed at police officers, attempting to thwart the arrest and was shot. He died while receiving treatment at Mzuzu Central Hospital,” Mfune said.

She added; “The three suspects confessed to have also robbed 100 million Malawian Kwacha from Mzuzu-based Indian national, Hassim Irfan in April at Mapale. Additionally, they confessed to have murdered Chiukepo Sichali, a Mzuzu-based business person who was short dead in Mchengautuwa Township in March.”

Mfune said police have since  seized a blue Toyota Vitz with registration number NA 6601, which was used in the commission of the offences and confiscated a pistol loaded with six live rounds, 52 additional live rounds, two mattresses, a home theatre, a 42-inch plasma TV, and 40 bags of cement during the operation at Salisbury Lines Township.

“The suspects will appear in court soon to answer charges of murder and armed robbery, contrary to sections 209 and 300 as read with section 301 of the Penal Code, respectively,” she said.

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