By Blessings Sabiti

Phalombe, May 10, Mana: Phalombe Police recently arrested four Malawians and one Mozambican for being found in possession of petroleum products and attempting to externalise petroleum products to Mozambique without permit.

The incodent happeened almost five weeks after other four men were also netted for the same offence.

Phalombe Police Public Relations Officer, Sergeant Jimmy Kapanja, confirmed the arrest of the five.

Kapanga identified the for Malawians as Innocent Kapito, 25; Batison Pire, 33; Maxwell Goodson and James Kachingwe, 24 while the Mozambican is Antonio Kapindu, 30, from Kholomana Village, Traditional Authority Kholomana.

Sergeant Kapanja said the five were arrested in the early hours on May 3, 2025, at Mauzi, Malawi-Mozambique border when Likangala border police were patrolling the area.

“Upon interrogation, the suspects revealed that they were going to Mozambique with 280 litres of petrol and 100 litres of diesel,” he said.

The five are in police custody and will soon be taken to court to answer charges of possession of petroleum products without permit.

Police in Phalombe say they will continue conducting day and night patrols to apprehend those found possessing petroleum products illegally.

Kapito, comes from Msema Village while Pire is from Mloma Village both from Traditional Authority (TA) Kaduya in Phalome district.

Goodson comes from Ndungunya Village, TA Mkhumba while Kachingwe is from Meya Village TA Chikowi in Zomba District.

On April 25, Police in Phalombe arrested three Malawians and one Mozambican for illegally possessing 260 litres of petrol and 100 litres of diesel in 20 litre containers.

Phalombe Police identified the three Malawians as; Charles Yohane, 21, from Chinani Village; Frank Mapeto, 25 from Nthambula Village both from TA Chiwalo in Phalombe and Jailos Yohane, 35 from Mumbo Village, TA Jenala in Phalombe.

Gabriel Petro, 31, from Zambesia Province in Mozambique was also arrested alongside the three Malawians during police sweep at Chitekesa and Miseufolo in the district.

Accordingg to Kapanja, on the day of the sweep, 520 litres of petrol was abandoned but recovered after the owner fled, fearing arrest.

The four are expected to appear before court in Phalombe for judgement on their illegal possession of the products.

In a related development, Second Grade Magistrate Court in Phalombe recently convicted and ordered Boniface Kasoti, 32, to a K600,000 fine for being found in possession of petroleum products without permit on April 18.

Kasoti comes from Nthenda Village, TA Chiwalo in Phalombe.