Police in Dowa have arrested two Masters Security guards for allegedly stealing 220 bags of Ammonium Sulphate fertilizer from a cargo train.
Dowa Police Station Public Relations Officer, Inspector Alice Sitima, confirmed the incident which occurred at Chidzuma Village, Traditional Authority Mkukula, in Dowa District.
Sitima said the suspects have been identified as Fadwick Rashid, 35, of Khunguwe Village, T/A Changata, Thyolo District, and Trust Kamwendo, 35, of Khobiri Village, T/A Nthiramanja, Mulanje District.
She added that the cargo train was in transit from Balaka to Kanengo and was driven by two men identified only as Chisi and Nembo, whose full particulars are not yet known. The train was accompanied by Rashid and Kamwendo.
“Upon reaching Chidzuma, the suspects falsely reported to their office in Kanengo that the train had developed a fault. They later claimed that the fertilizer had been stolen by unknown criminals,” the publicist explained.
According to her, police officers from Chezi and Dowa responded and intercepted a Ford 20-ton van, registration number NN4552, along the Kanengo–Salima road.
However, the vehicle, driven by Azam Pireira, was loaded with 220 bags of fertilizer but failed to produce supporting documents. Pireira later confessed that he had been hired to transport the consignment.
Meanwhile, the fertilizer has since been recovered, while investigations continue to trace the train drivers and other suspects connected to the theft.
Dowa Police Station has therefore assured the public of its commitment to safeguarding property and bringing all perpetrators to book.
