A police investigator has told the High Court of Malawi that the recovery of gadgets and items allegedly belonging to Agnes Katengeza led to the arrest of her brother and sister in connection with her murder. Investigator Benjamin Ng'ambi testified as the State's 13th and final witness in the murder trial. He said investigations began after Katengeza's vehicle was found abandoned behind Gateway Mall on September 24, 2023.
According to Ng'ambi, Katengeza's vehicle was locked, its keys were missing, and the passenger side window was broken. Police officers opened the vehicle using a spare key obtained from an officer at the Reserve Bank of Malawi, where the deceased worked. Inside, they found Katengeza's body coiled in the compartment intended for a spare wheel, with the spare tyre placed on top of it.
Ng'ambi said police subsequently focused their investigations on recovering an iPhone 6 that was stolen from Katengeza's bedroom days before she went missing. Investigators tracked the phone to Blantyre, where its new user told them he bought it from her brother Amos Katengeza. Amos was subsequently arrested in Blantyre while carrying other gadgets that Agnes was allegedly carrying on the day she went missing.
The items recovered from Amos included an iPhone 13, iPad, HP laptop, Inuka products, and a small black bag. Ng'ambi said investigators also examined telephone records involving Amos, Egnat Katengeza, and Agnes. The records did not show frequent calls between Amos and Egnat around the relevant period, despite Egnat reportedly saying she was receiving frequent calls from Amos.
Egnat Katengeza, Agnes' biological younger sister, had stated that she spoke to Agnes on the day in question while she was in town. However, the telephone records did not support her claim of frequent communication with Amos. The investigation's findings suggest that Amos may have played a role in Agnes' murder.
State lawyer Dzikondianthu Malunda said Ng'ambi's testimony is crucial to the case. Ng'ambi completed his testimony, and the court will continue with the trial. The case has garnered significant attention in Malawi, with many awaiting the outcome of the trial.
The murder of Agnes Katengeza has raised concerns about safety and security in Malawi. The case highlights the importance of thorough investigations and the role of technology in solving crimes. The court is expected to deliver a verdict soon, and the nation awaits justice for Agnes Katengeza.
Key points
- Investigator Benjamin Ng'ambi linked the recovery of Agnes Katengeza's gadgets to the arrest of her brother and sister.
- The investigation found that Katengeza's vehicle was abandoned behind Gateway Mall on September 24, 2023.
- The court will continue with the trial following Ng'ambi's testimony.
