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Senior Aide Arrested After Four German Shepherds Stolen from Malawi Presidential Palaces

Malawi police have arrested Godfrey Arthur Jalale, a former State House deputy chief of staff, after four German Shepherds worth about £1,700 were reported stolen from presidential residences between 19 September and 4 October. Authorities say they obtained a search warrant for ex-president Lazarus Chakwera's home after receiving tips that the animals might be there; Mr Jalale denies the charge. The case sits alongside broader allegations of property removal from Kamuzu and Sanjika palaces and is unfolding amid heightened political tensions following the 16 September election.

06:58 AM, 11/28/2025Politics
Senior Aide Arrested After Four German Shepherds Stolen from Malawi Presidential Palaces

Malawi police have detained Godfrey Arthur Jalale, a former deputy chief of staff at State House, after four German Shepherds went missing from presidential residences, authorities said. Mr Jalale denies the allegations.

The dogs, valued at roughly £1,700 (about $2,300), were reported taken from state property between 19 September and 4 October, in the days following the transfer of power after the 16 September election. Police say their investigation has focused on several locations linked to the outgoing administration.

Officers confirmed they had obtained a search warrant for former president Lazarus Chakwera's private home after receiving information that the missing animals might be kept there. Local reports also suggest items of state property were removed from both Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe and Sanjika Palace in Blantyre, prompting a broader inquiry into alleged looting.

"The Malawi police service assures the public that the investigation is progressing smoothly," police said.

The case comes amid rising tensions between Mr Chakwera and the incoming president, Peter Mutharika. Mr Chakwera, a former pastor who served as president from 2020, accepted defeat after the September vote and has largely kept a low profile since leaving State House. His Malawi Congress Party has accused the new administration of "harassing and intimidating" him; Mr Chakwera has not publicly commented on the theft allegations.

Last week Mr Chakwera announced he had accepted a Commonwealth appointment to assist mediation efforts in post-election unrest in Tanzania. The disputed return of items from State House has become part of wider scrutiny over the handling of public resources during the transition.

Separately, Malawi continues to face serious economic challenges. Since 2020 the country has struggled with stagnation amid the wider effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. World Bank estimates indicate that nearly three-quarters of Malawians live below the international poverty line of $3 a day, and roughly half the population does not receive the minimum number of calories considered necessary for adequate nutrition.

The police investigation into the missing dogs and other alleged removals of state property is ongoing.

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Senior Aide Arrested After Four German Shepherds Stolen from Malawi Presidential Palaces - CRBC News