Motorbike robbery ringleader behind bars in Lilongwe

By Michael Martin//MALAWI

Police in Lilongwe have arrested a 25 year old man identified as Peter Mwenyeveza who is suspected of being involved in organized motorbike thefts across the city.

Lilongwe Police spokesperson Hastings Chigalu confirmed the arrest and said Mwenyeveza has been on the police radar for some time due to his alleged involvement in similar crimes.

According to Chigalu, the suspect is a repeat offender who has previously served prison sentences for related offences.

Police allege that Mwenyeveza is linked to several cases in which motorbike owners reported their motorcycles stolen under violent circumstances.

In some of the reported incidents, victims are believed to have been assaulted, while others reportedly lost their lives, raising serious concern among law enforcement authorities.

Chigalu said investigations have connected the suspect to multiple criminal schemes operating within Lilongwe.

Upon his arrest and during questioning, Mwenyeveza reportedly admitted that he has been arrested before for similar crimes and disclosed that he sometimes uses the alias Peter Mwale.

Police further revealed that in 2024, a court sentenced the suspect to six years in prison for motorbike-related offences.

However, it has emerged that despite the court ruling, Mwenyeveza was not in custody and continued to engage in criminal activities.

Police have since launched an internal investigation to establish how the suspect was released from prison and to determine whether there was any misconduct involved.