Malawi police arrested two women in their early twenties after they used kwacha bank notes as decorations for a cake they baked and posted on social media.
According to a police spokesman, the pair advertised their cake-making business on social media by posting an image of the cake adorned with 70 500-kwacha notes worth $35 (£28).
The accused have not commented on their arrest but police say they will be charged with an offense of “damaging and unlawful use of currency”.
Malawi’s central bank has previously stated that printing new banknotes to replace worn-out ones incurs high costs and that improper use of banknotes is one of the reasons the notes must be replaced on a regular basis.
The maximum fine for “damaging and unlawful use of currency” is high.
Akutitu Police in Blantyre are keeping in custody two cake bakers atapanga decorate cake ndima k500 bank notes okwana sate fafu sazande (mwk35,000). My question is, cholinga nkukhala chani ma cake bakers wo?🤔🤔 pic.twitter.com/rpj9LDq7FG
— Kessie Tha Certified🇲🇼🇿🇲 (@Kessie_Dr) January 11, 2023