By Burnett Munthali
Lingadzi Police in Lilongwe have arrested 23-year-old Mwaiwawo Ndafera and 25-year-old James Makwacha in connection with the brutal murder of a housemaid and the theft of valuable items, including a car, from a residence in Area 47.
Maria Kumwenda, the Deputy Public Relations Officer for Lingadzi Police, confirmed the arrest and stated that the crime took place at midday on December 12 last year.
The owner of the house, Bridget Zenia Soko, was out of the country on work-related duties when the incident occurred. The crime was discovered when another worker arrived at the house and noticed the absence of Soko’s Nissan Dualis vehicle. The worker also found the front door open and immediately alerted neighbors, who entered the house to find the lifeless body of the maid, identified as Princes Chinyama.
Police were called to the scene and transported Chinyama’s body to Kamuzu Central Hospital for a postmortem examination.
Two days later, Soko returned to Malawi and discovered that additional items, including a plasma screen, a generator, and two laptops, were missing from her home.
The police investigation led to the arrest of Ndafera and Makwacha, and some of the stolen items, including the car and plasma screen, were recovered. According to Kumwenda, the suspects are believed to have planned the crime in advance and executed it while the homeowner was away.
Both suspects have been charged with murder and theft. They are currently in police custody, awaiting their court appearance.
The incident has left residents of Area 47 in shock, with many expressing concerns about rising crime rates in the city. Several community members have called for increased security measures and stricter enforcement of the law to deter such heinous acts.
The arrests of Ndafera and Makwacha offer a sense of relief to the community and highlight the importance of swift police action in solving crimes. However, the tragic loss of Princes Chinyama serves as a grim reminder of the dangers faced by domestic workers and the need for vigilance in protecting lives and property.
The case is set to proceed in court, where justice for the deceased and the homeowner will be sought.
