By Charlie Ligomeka

Machinga, February 17, Mana- Police in Machinga have launched a manhunt for villagers that unlawfully wounded five forest officers at Chikala-Nauko Forest Reserve on February 16, 2025.

According to Senior Forest Scout, Alfred Saindi, 41, the forest officers were patrolling the reserve when they came across four people producing charcoal.

The four, identified as Justin Willard, 18, Thokozani George, 26, Charles Masamba, 27, and Stella Dyson, all from Chinthenga Village, Traditional Authority Nsanama, District Machinga, were arrested on the spot.

However, when the relatives of the suspects learnt about the arrest, they mobilised themselves and confronted the forest officers, demanding the release of their relatives.

The situation quickly got worse, with the villagers mounting a roadblock and attacking the forest officers with stones and sharp objects.

In an attempt to disperse the crowd, one of the forest officers fired a bullet in the air, but this did not scare the villagers, as a result, five forest officers sustained various degrees of injuries.

The officers, Hebron Nyirenda, 27, was wounded on his right knee and bruised around his face; Jason Sokosa, 27, sustained a big cut on his forehead and around his neck; Sailes Simunja, 28, sustained cuts on his left and right arms and some bruises around his head;

In the fracas, Ruben Jesta, 32, sustained a big cut on his head and some bruises on his face; and Daudi Adam, 53, sustained a big cut on his left arm and some bruises around his head.

Three of the victims were referred to Zomba Central Hospital, while the other two were admitted at St. Luke Mission Hospital in Zomba.

Adam also sustained deep cut on his cheek as angry villagers and charcoal producers resisted apprehension in 2024

Machinga Police Station, Public Relations Officer, Sergeant Western Kansire, the conditions of the victims were not all that good.

“The suspects will appear before court once the paperwork is completed. Meanwhile, the police are urging anyone with information about the whereabouts of the villagers who attacked the forest officers to come forward," said Kansire.

In a related development, charcoal producers at Chikala Hills in Machinga attacked a forest ranger who is currently receiving treatment at St. Luke's Hospital in Zomba.