Witnesses’ Calibre Raises Eyebrows at Bobe Murder Trial as Key Witness Was Once Arrested Over Chibuku Armed Robbery While Serving in PMF

BLANTYRE — New questions have emerged over the background of key prosecution witnesses in the high-profile murder trial of Dr Victoria Bobe after details surrounding one witness’s past service in the police and an old criminal case surfaced during public debate.

Jimmy Kanyerere, the second prosecution witness and leader of the Chigumula Neighbourhood Watch, told the High Court that he served in the Police Mobile Force (PMF) for 18 years before leaving the service.

However, questions are now being raised over why he left the police after 18 years instead of completing the 20 years commonly associated with voluntary retirement

According to our source, Kanyerere and his friend Jimmy  Matambo were arrested in 2001 while serving in PMF A Company at Area 30 in connection with an armed robbery at Chibuku Products Limited in Area 28, where K28,000 was allegedly stolen.

Kanyerere was remanded before later being released, while Jimmy Matambo and some of the other accused persons in the matter were convicted and served prison sentences.

Following his release, Kanyerere reportedly continued serving in the Malawi Police Service before later being transferred to Ipyana in Karonga

According to our source, his former colleague, Jimmy Matambo, who was part of Squad 58 during training, was later released from prison. He was subsequently killed during an alleged attempted armed robbery incident in Mlangeni.

His appearance as a key prosecution witness in one of Malawi’s most closely followed murder trials has triggered public discussion about the suitability and background of witnesses relied upon by the State.

Sources familiar with his police history have also claimed that Kanyerere was in Squad 62 or 63 during training, where recruits reportedly shared the same barracks.

The late Dr Bobe’s final moments before her death have also attracted scrutiny.

When the late Dr Bobe sent a desperate voice note on the security WhatsApp group saying “Kwabwera okuba, tithandizeni,” Kanyerere replied that he was coming with his dogs instead of immediately alerting the entire neighbourhood watch team.

He later told the court that he encountered the fleeing suspects just outside the gate. One of them fired a warning shot into the air while shouting “Ufera za eni,” rather than shooting at him. The following morning, he was the one who discovered two stolen phones, a Samsung and an iPhone neatly placed together along the escape route behind the house. The question is why is he the first to arrive on each important scene

Many people now find it difficult to understand why hardened criminals would deliberately abandon expensive mobile phones instead of taking them. Critics have questioned the account, arguing that if Kanyerere had genuinely confronted the suspects, they would likely have shot him rather than firing a warning shot. This is especially because, having allegedly just killed Mrs Bobe, the suspects would have had little to lose and may not have hesitated to use further violence.

His detailed knowledge of the Bobe family and the surrounding area has also attracted attention, with some observers questioning whether there were previous links between him and the suspects. 

Meanwhile, the State’s lead investigator, Assistant Superintendent Christopher Pangeti, has also faced public scrutiny over allegations relating to his past.

Pangeti was among police officers arrested in 2012 in connection with the armed robbery at Colony Club Casino in Blantyre, where K6 million was stolen. 

Continuing his testimony before High Court Judge Ruth Chinangwa, Pangeti told the court that investigators recovered bullet pellets and brain tissue from the crime scene.

“We found bullet pellets and brain tissue. The criminals had a well choreographed modus operandi,” Pangeti testified.

He further told the court that the attackers appeared highly organised because they collected spent cartridge casings after the shooting and left stolen mobile phones along their escape route.

The court is expected to continue hearing Pangeti’s testimony, with a possible visit to the crime scene forming part of the ongoing proceedings.

As the trial continues, the backgrounds, credibility and reliability of witnesses are expected to remain central issues as the court determines the facts surrounding the death of Dr Victoria Bobe.