22 Malawians nabbed over Mukula logs

The joint Lundazi district security team has arrested 22 Malawian nationals for illegal entry, unlawful trafficking and possession of 133 Mukula tree logs.

The offence committed is contrary to section 120 [b] of the biological resources and environmental management Act number 12 of 2011.

The joint security team has also impounded two Malawian registered Fuso Fighter trucks that were carrying the illegal Mukula logs.

ZANIS reports that one Fuso truck registration number NB 2899 was loaded with 79 Mukula logs and another similar one registration number KU 2333 carried 54 logs.

Lundazi District Police Officer –in- Charge Mujala Mweemba confirmed the development to ZANIS in Lundazi today.

Mr Mweemba said the clamp down was done on Tuesday this week in Kapongola area of Chief Zumwanda in Lundazi district.

Mr Mweemba said the joint security team included Police, the Drug Enforcement Commission [DEC]  the Forestry department , the Zambia Wild Life Authority (ZAWA) and the Office of President .

He said the security team received information that from concerned members of the public that  there were some Malawian foreign trucks loaded with Mukula logs.

He said acting on the information the team apprehended two drivers identified as John Viano and Elias Banda plus 20 loaders of Mayani village in Chief Tambala’s of Dedza district in Malawi.

The Police Officer -in-Charge said the two impounded trucks loaded with the Mukula logs are parked at the Lundazi Police Station while the 22 Malawian nationals were also in police custody pending court appearance today.

He said the 22 have been charged for illegal entry into Zambia, unlawful trafficking and possession of biological resourses contrary to section 120[b] of the environmental management act number 12 of 2011.