Three Arrested In Zomba For Allegedly Duping Villagers With Fake Free Housing Scheme
Published on June 3, 2026 at 10:45 AM by Evance Kapito
Police in Zomba have arrested three people for allegedly obtaining K1.3 million by false pretence after convincing community members that they would construct free houses for them.
Zomba Police deputy spokesperson Patricia Sipiliano Mwale identified the suspects as Adamu Juta, 58, Cecilia Lipenga, 35, and Vincent Wisky, 48. The trio was arrested by officers based at Chingale on May 30.
According to Mwale, Juta allegedly presented himself as a devoted Muslim from Blantyre and, together with his accomplices, visited Kalunduwiche 3 Village claiming to represent a charitable organisation that builds houses for vulnerable people.
The suspects reportedly persuaded prospective beneficiaries to pay K10,000 each as a registration fee to qualify for the housing assistance programme.
Police investigations later established that the scheme was fraudulent, leading to the arrest of the three suspects.
Mwale said officers recovered 44 completed registration forms and cash believed to have been collected from victims.
The suspects are expected to appear before court to answer charges related to obtaining money by false pretence.
