Man Arrested After Kabaza Operator Attacked and Robbed in Lilongwe
Published on January 16, 2026 at 3:30 PM by Edgar Naitha
Police in Kawale, Lilongwe, have taken into custody a 30-year-old man, Elias Chepetsani, in connection with a motorcycle robbery.
The incident occurred on December 30, 2025, at around 22:00 hours at the M1 Centre Point. The suspect, together with an accomplice, posed as customers and hired an unsuspecting kabaza operator, Phillip Jamali, from Area 23 motorcycle rank, claiming they wanted to pick up a parcel in Area 36.
Upon reaching Pakkeza Warehouses, opposite M1 Centre Point, the duo attacked the victim, hitting him on the forehead with an object believed to be a metal bar, before fleeing with a blue Lifan motorcycle.
The matter was reported at Kawale Police Station, where a case of robbery against unknown criminals was opened. Officers promptly visited the scene and observed signs of violence. During the attack, the suspect dropped a laptop bag containing various items, which provided crucial clues to investigators.
Following investigations, detectives managed to trace and arrest the suspect on January 14, 2026. During interrogation, Chepetsani admitted ownership of the bag and its contents. To strengthen the evidence, the victim was invited and positively identified the suspect as one of the customers prior to the attack.
Meanwhile, police are continuing investigations to arrest the accomplice, who remains at large, and to recover the stolen motorcycle. The arrest has also uncovered the suspect’s alleged involvement in a series of similar robberies and is expected to help conclude several outstanding cases.
Elias Chepetsani hails from Namiwa Village, Traditional Authority Kapichi, in Thyolo District.
