Police Hunt Driver Over K97.2 Million Soap Theft in Lilongwe
Published on March 4, 2026 at 1:28 PM by Edgar Naitha
Police in Lilongwe have launched a manhunt for an Almeida Transport driver accused of diverting and stealing 3,888 bags of powdered soap valued at K97.2 million.
The suspect, identified as Daniel Chikwama, allegedly sold the consignment instead of delivering it to its intended destination.
Each of the stolen bags weighed 20 kilograms and formed part of a shipment collected from Dar es Salaam Port in Tanzania.
Chikwama had been instructed to transport the goods to a designated location in Lilongwe after collecting them from the port.
Upon entering Malawi, he reportedly diverted the truck and began selling the soap to various businesses.
Police say he later abandoned the empty truck at Maula Filling Station and left the keys in the ignition.
Detectives tracked down two suspected accomplices who led officers to a warehouse and several shops in Bwalolanjovu, Area 2, where most of the soap was recovered.
Authorities have since recovered 3,562 bags worth about K89 million and are continuing efforts to arrest the driver, who remains at large.
