By Burnett Munthali
At 2am this morning, Minister of Trade Vitumbiko Mumba announced the successful apprehension of a suspected smuggler believed to be at the centre of an illegal sugar trafficking network.
The suspect, identified as one of the notorious “mabale athu,” was caught with 300 bales of sugar that were reportedly destined for Zambia.
The individual has since been handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution.
According to Minister Mumba, his teams are working tirelessly around the clock to curb the rampant smuggling of sugar, which has significantly contributed to its scarcity on the local market.
He urged Malawians to continue sharing credible tips, emphasizing that actionable intelligence is enabling the authorities to act swiftly and decisively.
Mumba also provided an update on the sugar production situation in the country, noting that operations are now in full swing following delays caused by an unusually extended wet season.
This resumption of production has addressed one of the two major causes of sugar shortages in Malawi.
The other—and more critical—factor has been the smuggling of sugar to neighbouring countries such as Zambia, Tanzania, and Mozambique.
In these countries, the price of sugar per bale is reported to be K40,000 higher than in Malawi, making illegal export highly lucrative.
While issues such as hoarding and under-the-table sales exist, Mumba said they are not as widespread or impactful as the organized smuggling syndicates.
He further explained that some backdoor dealings occur primarily to supply “mabale athu” and vendors who traffic the sugar across borders.
Interestingly, the Minister revealed that some perpetrators have attempted to retaliate by filing complaints with the police when government officers move in on their operations.
However, Mumba was quick to dismiss these efforts, stating that such individuals are “punching blows in the dark” and will not derail the government’s efforts to restore order to the sugar market.
He reaffirmed his ministry’s commitment to pursuing all leads and bringing those involved in sugar smuggling to justice.
