By Rahim Abdul
Police in Lilongwe have launched a massive manhunt for a truck driver accused of masterminding a daring theft of powdered soap worth K97.2 million, in a case that has stunned the business community.
The suspect, identified as Daniel Chikwama, is alleged to have diverted and stolen 3,888 bags of powdered soap, each weighing 20 kilograms, on February 28, 2026.
According to Malawi Police Service, the consignment was legally assigned to Chikwama’s employer, Almeida Transport, which had dispatched him to collect the goods from Dar es Salaam Port in Tanzania for delivery to a designated location in Lilongwe.
However, instead of completing the assignment, the driver allegedly diverted the cargo upon entering the country and began selling the soap to various businesses.
In a dramatic twist, the truck registration number ZA 4015/PE 1661 was later discovered abandoned at Maula Filling Station in Lilongwe, with the keys left in the ignition, raising suspicion and triggering an immediate police investigation.
Detectives from Lilongwe Police Station moved swiftly and traced the distribution network of the stolen goods.
Their investigations led to the identification of two suspected individuals believed to have been connected to the illegal sale of the consignment.
The two suspects reportedly cooperated with authorities and guided officers to several recovery points, including a warehouse and multiple shops in Bwalolanjovu, Area 2.
Police have since recovered 3,562 bags of the stolen soap, valued at approximately K89 million, significantly reducing the financial loss.
Despite the recovery breakthrough, Daniel Chikwama remains at large, and authorities have intensified efforts to locate and arrest him.
Inspector Hastings Chigalu, Public Relations Officer for Lilongwe Police, confirmed the developments and urged members of the public with information on the suspect’s whereabouts to come forward and assist law enforcement agencies.
Police say investigations are ongoing, and more arrests could follow as they work to ensure that all those involved in the alleged theft face the full force of the law.
