Man arrested for attempted robbery, assault in Lilongwe

Police in Lilongwe have arrested a 19-year-old man, Maxwell Banda, for allegedly assaulting and attempting to rob a 26-year-old woman.

According to Lilongwe Police Station Deputy Public Relations officer Sergeant Foster Benjamin, the suspect and his two accomplices who are at large committed the offence in Lingadzi Forest in Lilongwe.

Benjamin said Banda had approached two women, Hanna Harrison and another woman only identified as Patricia, who were seeking job at the Labour Office.

He convinced them that his Whiteman boss in Area 6 would employ them as housemaids and they would be paid K110, 000 per month.

Banda took the women to Amina Roundabout where he was joined by two other accomplices who pretended to be job seekers.

Benjamin further said the three suspects led the women into Lingadzi Forest, claiming it was a shortcut to Area 6.

However, the suspects attacked the women while demanding money from them.

According to Benjamin, Banda produced a knife and attempted to stab Harrison but she held it two-handed, and got injured in the process.

Then Harrison disarmed the suspect and stabbed him twice on the arm before she escaped.

She reported to traffic police officers who were on the road and was issued with a referral letter to Kamuzu Central Hospital.

While at the hospital, the victim saw her attacker (Banda) getting into the same facility to receive treatment.

She immediately reported to the doctor who in turn alerted the police, which led to the arrest of the suspect.

Banda has since been charged with two counts; attempted robbery and unlawful wounding.

He is expected to appear in court to answer to the two charges.

Banda hails from Zikati Village in Traditional Authority Makanjira in Mangochi.