RUMPHI
On February 16, 2024, police in Rumphi apprehended a 36-year-old man, Willard Simukonda, for impersonation and attempted theft near the Rumphi Prison gate at 6:30 AM.
Simukonda had allegedly posed as a representative from a law firm to Weston Tembo’s wife, who was visiting her incarcerated husband. Claiming he could facilitate Tembo’s release on bail for a fee of one hundred thousand Malawian Kwacha, Simukonda persuaded Tembo’s wife to provide her father-in-law’s phone number.
After contacting Tembo’s father, Simukonda continued his ruse, demanding money for bail. However, the father-in-law became suspicious and contacted the police, who subsequently arrested Simukonda at the prison while he awaited payment of twenty thousand Kwacha.
Simukonda, a resident of Tchendo village in Chitipa district, faces charges of impersonating a public servant and attempted theft, with a court appearance pending. Authorities advise against engaging in official transactions with unknown individuals.