Kanengo Police Station has arrested four pharmacists from Area 25 Rural Community Hospital in Lilongwe for allegedly stealing 7,150 mosquito nets worth K31 million.
The suspects, identified as Gift Deker, 32, Omega Malipa, 27, Bessie Lumbo, 30, and Clement Kamanga, 30, were taken into custody on June 21, 2026, following a formal complaint by hospital management regarding the disappearance of the mosquito nets that had been placed under their care.Kanengo Police Confiscates Fake Fertilizer
According to information gathered by police, concerns first emerged after routine audits uncovered persistent discrepancies in inventory records. The situation prompted hospital authorities to launch an internal investigation amid growing suspicions that members of staff could have been involved in the disappearance of the supplies.
A comprehensive audit later confirmed that approximately 7,150 mosquito nets were missing from the hospital’s stock. Investigators found no records indicating that the nets had been distributed to patients or communities, raising fears that the supplies had been unlawfully removed.
During the investigation, each of the suspects allegedly denied responsibility and pointed fingers at one another, prompting hospital management to refer the matter to Kanengo Police for further action.Police nab notorious armed robbery gang in Lilongwe’s Area 25
Police detectives subsequently conducted their own investigations and concluded that the theft had been coordinated. Investigators found no evidence of forced entry into the storage facilities, leading them to believe that the crime was carried out by individuals with authorized access to the stock.
The four suspects are expected to face charges of theft by a public servant, an offence under Malawi’s laws.
The case has raised concerns about accountability and the management of essential public health supplies, particularly mosquito nets, which are a critical tool in the fight against malaria in Malawi.
