Two Zomba Hospital Pharmacists Arrested Over Theft of Medical Drugs

Police in Zomba have arrested two pharmacists from Zomba Central Hospital for allegedly stealing and keeping essential medical drugs at their homes.

The suspects have been identified as 42-year-old Henry Mwamatembe from Mwakaboko Village, Traditional Authority Mwakaboko in Karonga, and 36-year-old Henry Maiden from Bonongwe Village, Traditional Authority Phambala in Ntcheu. Both were residing in the Kalimbuka 6 Miles area in Zomba at the time of their arrest.

According to police, Mwamatembe was found in possession of a large quantity of medical drugs, including insulin, Ciprofloxacin tablets, Salbutamol inhalers, Flucloxacillin capsules, Diclofenac tablets, as well as thousands of Prednisolone, Magnesium, Flagyl, Amoxicillin, and Panadol tablets.

Meanwhile, Maiden was found with several medical items at his residence, including three cartons of emergency contraception pills, 100 pregnancy rapid test kit strips, and 10 cartons of Sildenafil tablets.

Police reports indicate that Assistant Superintendent Dennis Mutala received a tip-off from members of the public alleging that the two were keeping drugs suspected to have been unlawfully obtained from their workplace and were planning to sell them during the night.

Acting on the information, Mutala, working alongside Detective Inspector Allan Manjolo and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) team in Zomba, conducted searches at the suspects’ homes. The drugs were recovered without any supporting documentation.

During questioning, both suspects reportedly admitted to taking the drugs from Zomba Central Hospital, leading to their arrest and the seizure of the items.

Police say investigations are ongoing, and hospital authorities have been notified to help identify the recovered drugs. The suspects remain in custody and are expected to appear in court soon.