Man arrested for impersonating an army officer

Police in Dedza have arrested 22 year-old Anold Banda for impersonating a Malawi Defence Force (MDF) soldier.

The suspect, a resident of Chinsapo Township in Lilongwe last Saturday allegedly hired a motorcycle and went to Kafere village near Dzalanyama Forest Reserve while dressed in a golf shirt written MDF at the back and a military cap.

According to spokesperson for Dedza Police Station Edward Kabango, the suspect then erected a roadblock at Kafere and was demanding money from people carrying firewood and charcoal on pretence that he was one of the army officers protecting the forest.

“Police at Njonja Post received a tip and arrested the suspect who has since admitted that he is not a soldier,” explained Kabango in an interview.

Banda comes from Pundu village in the area of Traditional Authority Chiseka in Lilongwe.

He will soon be taken to court to answer the charge of impersonating a public officer contrary to section 99 of the penal code.