A 54-year-old Health Surveillance Assistant (HSA) in Thyolo has been arrested for allegedly trying to obtain a death certificate for his mother who is alive.

Enosi Biniweli Mathewe reportedly tried to process the document at the Thyolo National Registration Bureau (NRB) offices, intending to claim funeral benefits from the United Civil Servants SACCO.

"When Mathewe went to the NRB to obtain the death certificate for his mother on Monday, he was issued with forms to be verified by his Village Headman and church elders," said Sergeant Rabecca Kashoti, Public Relations Officer for Thyolo police.

Suspicion arose when Mathewe returned on Wednesday to submit the documents, submitting his aunt's ID, who is alive, instead of his mother's.

Kashoti added: "A system check by the NRB officials noticed discrepancies and alerted the police."

Mathewe allegedly wanted to claim funeral benefits, believing his mother's age would complicate the claim.

"He faces charges of furnishing false information, contrary to Section 43 of the National Registration Act," Kashoti said.

Mathewe, from Ndalama Village under Traditional Authority Nchilamwela, remains in custody.