By Durell Namasani
The Lingadzi Police in Lilongwe have arrested UTM official Russel Golden and a woman suspected of defrauding and stealing vehicles from five individuals, using the cars as collateral for loans.
Police spokesperson Maria Kumwenda identified the suspects as 46-year-old Russel Golden and 24-year-old Emily Lungu.
Russell Golden was one time assistant to former Vice President Everton Chimulirenji and now UTM shadow MP for Ntcheu.
Reports indicate that Golden would borrow vehicles and then disable their tracking systems, alter ownership documents, and change insurance details, registering them under his or Lungu’s name. The suspects would then take the cars to loan agencies, using them as collateral to secure money.
When the real owners called Golden to retrieve their vehicles, he allegedly ignored their calls.
So far, police have recovered all six stolen vehicles, four of which have already been identified by their rightful owners.
Investigations are ongoing as authorities work to return the remaining vehicles and pursue legal action against the suspects.
