Triple Arrest Over CEAR Engineer’s murder: Suspects Nabbed After Highway Horror

Police have apprehended three suspects in connection with the brutal murder of two men including a Central East Africa Railways (CEAR) Engineer following a highway robbery that occurred last month.

The arrests follow an investigation into the chilling events of January 25, 2026, which spanned across the Lilongwe, Ntcheu, and Dedza districts.

In a statement signed by Deputy National Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Alfred Chimthere, the suspects have been identified as Kennedy Damson, 29; Barbra Nkwezalamba, 25; and Witman Elisa, 19. All three hail from Kunthulu Village, Traditional Authority Malili, in Lilongwe.

According to Chimthere, the suspects boarded a company vehicle at Six Miles in Lilongwe as unauthorized passengers (commonly known as matola). What began as a routine lift turned into a nightmare when the trio staged an armed attack as the vehicle reached Lizulu in Ntcheu District.

During the struggle, Sibusiso Mponda, an Engineer with CEAR, was shot dead while heroically attempting to escape the vehicle.

A second victim, whose identity is yet to be fully disclosed, died after allegedly jumping from the moving vehicle in a desperate bid to save his life during the chaos.

The suspects fled the scene following the double fatality but were tracked down following intensive police intelligence work.

“The three are currently in custody and will be brought before the court to answer charges of murder and armed robbery,” Chimthere confirmed.

The police have once again warned the public, and particularly drivers of company or institutional vehicles, against the dangers of picking up unauthorized passengers, noting that criminals often use such opportunities to stage violent ambushes.