Mchinji police are on the hunt for a driver suspected of deliberately setting fire to a vehicle containing valuable medical drugs and stealing cash from the scene.

The suspect has been identified as Jacob Mtawali, and the incident occurred in Likasi forest, where the driver allegedly torched a Tata Van belonging to Kentam Products Limited.

According to Limbani Mpinganjira, spokesperson for the Mchinji police, Mtawali had been given a consignment of medical drugs worth K40 million to be sold in various central region districts. However, on his way back, he reportedly set fire to the vehicle using petrol.

Local residents in the surrounding villages rushed to the scene upon hearing the commotion and saw the driver fleeing from the vehicle with a bag containing an undisclosed amount of money.

The police are urging anyone with information on Mtawali’s whereabouts to come forward and assist with the investigation.