Mangochi Police Spokesperson, Inspector Rodrick Maida, who has identified the suspect as Lewis Labson, said he was acting as a middleman between relatives of suspects in police custody and his accomplice who was posing as a police officer.

“The incident occurred on May 29, 2021 at the station’s waiting shelter where Labson pretended to be a complainant waiting to be assisted, but thereafter connected those who had their relatives in custody to talk to someone posing as a police officer,” explained Maida.

He said the fake officer could then promise to bail out suspects from police custody upon a transaction of K40, 000. 00 through either Airtel Money or TNM Mpamba accounts.

“Labson was arrested at the scene when one of those believed to have been deceived reported the matter to police officers,” explained Maida who said investigations are under way to trace the fake police officer.

He said police continue to remind the citizens that their bail is for free and no one should be deceived to deposit any amount of money as payment for police bail.

Lewis Labson, hails from Saitikadzuwa Village in the area of Traditional Authority Mponda in the same district.