FOUR men have pounced on a trader near Mbeteka Primary School in Chasefu District, robbing him of cash amounting to 100,000 Malawian Kwacha (about K5,944 in Zambia) and five boxes of 300ml Master whiskey beer valued at K1,870, before vanishing into the thick bushes.
This occurred yesterday around 12:30 hours when 37‑year‑old Kenani Mundu of Emusa Village, Chief Magodi, pedaled his bicycle loaded with ten boxes of whiskey beer and a bundle of Malawian currency.
He was heading to Mbeteka to meet his customer, Ibrahim Nyirenda of Mbeteka Village, who had asked him to deliver the goods and exchange the cash for Zambian Kwacha.
The dusty path stretched ahead, quiet except for the crunch of Mundu’s bicycle tyres on the dry earth. The boxes of beer rattled softly with each bump, their weight making the bike sway.
Then, out of nowhere, the bushes on either side rustled. Four men stepped out, sudden and sharp, like shadows cutting across the road.
They didn’t need weapons, their numbers alone were enough. They spread out, blocking the narrow track, eyes fixed on him.
Mundu’s heart raced. He gripped the handlebars tighter, but before he could react, hands grabbed at the bicycle.
Rough fingers tore at the ropes holding the boxes, bottles clinking as they were removed while another hand snatched the bundle of cash.
He tried to resist, but four against one was hopeless.
After having their way, the men vanished back into the thick green bush, swallowed by the leaves and silence.
The road was empty again, except for Mundu, shaken, breathless, staring at the space where they had disappeared, his bicycle lighter and his pockets empty.
But with the little strength he had, Mundu called his client, Nyirenda who rushed to the scene.
Together, they recovered the bicycle and the remaining five boxes of beer left behind by the thieves.
Eastern Province police commanding officer Robertson Mweemba confirmed the incident.
“The suspects were not armed but managed to steal the money and beer before running into the bushes,” he said.
Mweemba added that officers from Emusa Police Post under Lundazi Station visited the victim after the matter was reported at 17:10 hours yesterday.
“A docket of robbery has since been opened and a manhunt launched,” said Mweemba.
By Daniel Banda
Kalemba, March 10, 2026
