Police in Lilongwe have arrested a 45-year-old man, Benson Mwanjolo, on allegations of fraud, forgery and impersonating an official from the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) in a scheme targeting traditional leaders.
According to police, Mwanjolo allegedly posed as an OPC official working in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and falsely claimed he had been assigned to facilitate the elevation of Senior Group Village Heads (GVHs) to the rank of Sub Traditional Authorities (Sub T/As).
The suspect is reported to have approached several traditional leaders under Traditional Authority Malili between June 17 and June 19, 2026, demanding K370,000 from each as a purported processing fee for the elevation exercise.
However, one of the targeted leaders became suspicious of the arrangement and alerted police, prompting an investigation into the matter.
Following the tip-off, law enforcement officers launched inquiries and apprehended Mwanjolo.
A search conducted upon his arrest led to the recovery of several forged documents, which were immediately confiscated as evidence.
Police have since charged Mwanjolo with fraud, altering false documents and personating a public officer.
Authorities say investigations are continuing and have urged members of the public, especially traditional leaders, to verify the identity and credentials of individuals claiming to represent government institutions before engaging in any transactions.
Mwanjolo hails from Nyangu Village in the area of Traditional Authority M’bwatalika in Lilongwe District.
He is expected to appear before court to answer the charges.
