Break-in at Paladin’s Kayerekera mine: Malawi Police nab two for stealing MK2m

There was a minor break-in and robbery at Paladin’s Kayelekera uranium Mine  in the early hours of  Friday and Police in Malawi’s northern district of Karonga has since arrested two suspects believed to have stolen K2 million cash and assorted items .

Karonga Police Officer-In-Charge Senior Assistant Commissioner Foster Peter Mangani told Nyasa Times that one of the arrested suspects was one of the workers who were recently laid off at the mine.

Mangani refused to give identities of the arrested suspects saying doing so would be interfering with investigation currently underway.

“At the meantime, we cannot disclose the names of those arrested because divulging this information could jeopardize investigation currently underway.”

Mangani then expressed concern that theft and other unfriendly habits will scare away foreign investors who are much needed now as the country is sailing through economic hardships.

Paladin country manager, Greg Walker told Nyasa Times on Friday that the company security officers detected a hole in the perimeter fence about 3.00am and investigated.

“It was found that the tuck shop in the residential camp had been broken into and a quantity of cash stolen,” he said.

Walker also said one of the suspects being questioned by police was a former Kayelekera Mine employee.

Paladin retrenched 110 Malawians, citing economic crisis which has faced the company.

But Walker said “the incident is not related to recent retrenchments at the mine.”

On Tuesday Paladin Board members convened an ad hoc meeting with lay off workers at Karonga District Commissioner’s Office where journalists were barred.

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