Man in custody for obtaining money by false pretence

Police in Nkhata Bay have arrested a man for allegedly obtaining money under false pretence. The suspect claimed to work at the district commissioner’s (DC’s) office and was collecting money from elderly people for Mtukulapakhomo (enhancing the home) .

Mtukulapakhomo is a social support programme that targets ultra-poor households. It aims at raising income, promoting nutrition support and encouraging children to go to school.

The programme started in 2014 in Nkhata Bay with preliminary activities such as targeting of eligible beneficiaries. It is also being implemented in Dedza and Thyolo districts.

The suspect, Maxwell Manda, 21, comes from Mundiyere Village,Traditional Authority (T/A) Fukamapiri in the district.

Nkhata Bay Police Station spokesperson Ignatius Esau, on Saturday said the suspect went to Chavukuka Village where he told the village head that he was from the DC’s office and that he had come to tell members of Chavukuka Mtukulapakhomo Association to collect K30 000 each at the DC’s office.

“He then told them that they should pay K2 000 each to process the money,” said Esau.

The publicist said four people paid believing their money would come soon.

He said: “One of the members enquired from the DC’s office and was told that the man in question was an imposter and should be detained.”

Nkhata Bay DC Alex Mdooko said their office does not demand processing fee from the beneficiaries of the project.