Zambia Police storm Malawi, recover 15 of 20 stolen cattle
EASTERN Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba may have earned himself a peaceful night after his officers crossed the border into Malawi and recovered 15 of 20 cattle allegedly stolen from a farmer in Chama District.
The cattle disappeared from a kraal at Kabwanda Village in Chief Tembwe between the night of August 30 and the morning of August 31, leaving farmer Julius Nyirenda counting a loss of 20 animals valued at K116,500.
But what initially appeared to be a case of cattle vanishing into thin air soon took an international turn.
Mweemba confirms to TV Yatu that investigations led officers to establish that the suspects were Malawian nationals, prompting a follow-up operation across the border.
Yesterday, September 16, officers from Chama Police Station, led by the Officer in Charge, travelled to Kafukule Police Station in Mzimba District, Malawi, where a tip-off helped them trace the stolen animals.
The operation resulted in the recovery of 15 cattle and the arrest of three Malawian nationals identified as Justin Phiri, 31, Waluza Mumba, 38, and Daniel Mtonga, 31, all from Mzimba District
Police say the suspects admitted to stealing all 20 cattle from Zambia before handing them over to a man identified only as Prince, from Eltini area in Malawi.
The suspects further admitted that one of the cattle had been slaughtered for braai, with the carcass allegedly left in Prince’s possession.
The remaining cattle were reportedly scattered across different kraals in an attempt to conceal them, but the trail eventually led Zambian and Malawian Police to the animals.
One other cow had already been recovered by Nyirenda himself after it was found near the Malawi-Zambia border, bringing the total number of recovered animals to 16.
The three suspects have since been jointly charged and arrested for being in possession of livestock believed to have been stolen outside Malawi.
They are expected to appear before the Eltini Class Three Magistrate Court tomorrow, September 18, 2026.
Police say following the court appearance, arrangements will be made for the recovered cattle to be released to Nyirenda and escorted back to Zambia by Police officers.
The recovery, according to Police, was made possible through the close working relationship between the Zambian and Malawian Police and information provided by people living along the border.
– TV Yatu | Sanfrossa Mberi | September 17, 2026.