The Second Grade Magistrate’s Court in Mangochi has convicted and fined five men and one woman a total of K2,125,000 for possessing liquid petroleum without permits.
The convicts are Ibrahim Kautanda, 30, Bizwick Buli, 28, Mponda Moffat, 48, Dickson January, 41, Jamilah Nuru, 20, and Divason Maunga, 25, all from Mangochi District.
The court heard through Inspector Grace Mindozo and Sub Inspector Regina Chikungwa that, last week, police in Mangochi conducted an operation aimed at curbing the rising trend of illegal fuel trading, which negatively affects the country’s economy and national security.
During the operation, Kautanda, a known illegal fuel trader, was arrested after police found 800 litres of petrol (four drums) hidden in his house. Buli was intercepted in a 2-ton Toyota Dyna, registration number MH 11073, carrying 650 litres of fuel concealed under groceries. Moffat was found with 410 litres in an unregistered 5-ton truck heading to Makanjira, while his passenger, January, was found with 120 litres of petrol.
In a separate incident, Jamilah was caught with 50 litres of petrol on a motorcycle, while Divason was found with 25 litres of petrol around Mankhwala area.
Appearing in court, all six convicts pleaded guilty and asked for leniency, citing family responsibilities. However, state prosecutors argued that illegal possession of fuel hampers national development, undermines legitimate businesses, and creates artificial shortages that force people to spend long hours in queues or buy fuel at inflated black-market prices hence urged the court to impose stiff penalties.
Passing sentence, Second Grade Magistrate Joshua Chirambo concurred with the state and ordered Kautanda to pay K800,000, Buli K500,000, Moffat K350,000, January K250,000, Jamilah K150,000, and Divason K75,000, bringing the total to K2,125,000.
The court further ordered that the confiscated 2,055 litres of fuel be forfeited to the Malawi Government.
Meanwhile, all the convicts have since paid the fines in full.
Inspector Amina Tepani Daudi
Public Relations Officer
Mangochi Police Station
Cell:0999-706-525
Email:amina.tepani@police.gov.mw
Website:www.police.gov.mw