Thief’s ‘kindness’ surprises victim

Lilongwe resident Pope Mzumara was shocked and disheartened when he discovered that his office car had been broken into.

The thief got away with a laptop and its bag and another bag, an old and a new passport, K250 000 cash ($399), a ready-for-encashment K230 000 ($367) cheque, three cheque books, bank deposit slips and a complimentary card warranting the holder free accommodation at a major hotel, among other items.

When the victim reported the matter to the police, he was seething with anger and frustration at the hard-heartedness of thieves who specialise in reaping where they did not not sow.

But two days later, Mzumara ended up smiling a little when he saw the ironic soft-heartedness of the same thief, after he sent most of the stolen items back to him –through the Lilongwe Post Office.

Of course, the package did not include the laptop nor the K250 000 cash.

The returned documents were sealed in three envelopes thrust into the Lilongwe Post Office mail box, without the needed postage stamps.

Each of the envelopes showed Mzumara’s postal address and some of his telephone numbers. The three envelopes were clearly written by the same person, whose poor handwriting is pronounced, despite having written the address in block letters.

Said Mzumara: “Although I lost the expensive laptop and the cash, I am relieved that the thief has shown me a humane streak by returning these other important items.”

He explained that the robbery happened soon after 8pm on December 2 in Area 49 Township, as he and some of his family members were making arrangements to receive and bury the body of a relative who had been reportedly knifed to death by a fellow Malawian in Cape Town, South Africa.

Police have confirmed the case and have said they are investigating the matter. n