Nkhata Bay, June 16: Nkhata Bay Police have recovered 52 big water pipes amounting to K2.3 million of the 500 pipes missing at Chinguluwe area meant for Chikwina Mpamba Water Supply Scheme which is funded by World Vision Malawi in Nkhata Bay District.
According to Nkhata Bay Police Spokesperson, Sergeant Ignatius Esau, the water pipers have been missing from the house of the treasurer for Chikwina Mpamba Water Users Association since May this year, 2015.
“After noticing that some water pipes were missing, the treasurer reported the matter to his association who later reported the matter to Nkhata Bay Police.
“After police investigation, it was discovered that 500 water pipes were missing. [However] 22 steel pipes and 30 plastic pipes worth K2.3 million have been recovered,” Sergeant Esau explained.
He further said police managed to arrest three former Chikwina Mpamba Water Supply Scheme labourers, Fingani Chirwa aged 37, Tenson Kabowa Kaunda 53, and Yasin Waka aged 63, for being suspected to have been stealing the water project materials.
“During interrogation, the three suspects pleaded guilty to the law enforcers and the three suspects will appear before the court of law on Monday to answer charges of theft, which is contrary to Section 278 of the Penal Code,” explained the police spokesperson.
He said the 52 water pipes police recovered were sold to a Nkhata Bay businessman and almost 450 are still missing.
“We are still searching for the remaining water pipes as the suspects have pleaded guilty to the 52 pipes but are denying to have stolen the remaining 450 pipes,” he added.
Fingani Chirwa hails from Kamphalo Village; Tenson Kabowa Kaunda comes from Chisindi Village both in the area of T.A. Timbiri in Nkhata Bay while Yasin Waka hails from Namupala Village in T.A. Kaphuka in Dedza District.
