Lingadzi Police Station arrested two suspects on Wednesday in connection with a theft case at the Zambian High Commission offices in Lilongwe.
Deputy Public Relations Officer for Lingadzi Police Station, Sergeant Glory Kondowe Ngwira, confirmed the arrests and identified the suspects as Owen Gombe, an Accounts Clerk at the Zambian High Commission, and Nicodem Kambiri, a fuel attendant at Mantino Puma Filling Station.
According to Kondowe, the case came to light on May 9, 2026, when the complainant, who oversees the administration and consolidation of embassy accounts, discovered irregularities in fuel invoices issued by Mantino Filling Station, a contractor supplying fuel and lubricants to embassy vehicles.
Investigations revealed that some invoices had been generated for a non-operational vehicle, identified as 5CD 2, as well as other embassy vehicles.
The invoices were allegedly signed by the Accounts Clerk instead of authorized drivers, in violation of established procedures.
Police investigations further established that the two suspects allegedly operated a syndicate in which they collected cash under the pretense of purchasing fuel for embassy vehicles but diverted the money for personal use without the knowledge of either embassy authorities or filling station management.
The fraudulent activities, which reportedly occurred between February 2026 and May 4, 2026, are estimated to have resulted in losses amounting to K5.2 million.
The suspects are currently in police custody and are expected to appear in court soon to answer charges of theft.
Owen Gombe hails from Mbathe me Village under Traditional Authority Somba in Blantyre District, while Nicodem Kambiri comes from Kamwethe la Village under Traditional Authority Kalumo in Ntchisi District.
