By Rahim Abdul
The Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court in Mangochi has convicted and sentenced four people for illegal possession and trafficking of charcoal valued at K11.2 million without a permit.
The convicts have been identified as Hawa Kambwiri,aged 36, Austin Sharifu, 41years old, Harry Haj,aged 23, and Shaibu Jonas, 39 years, all from Traditional Authority Mponda in Mangochi District.
According to Mangochi Police Station public relations officer Inspector Amina Tepani Daudi, the arrests followed an operation conducted on the night of May 8, 2026 by Mangochi Police officers working together with Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officers from the Eastern Region Police Headquarters.
Police intercepted a 5-tonne Isuzu motor vehicle registration number MH 10209 at Bolera while it was travelling from Katema towards Mangochi Boma.
Upon searching the vehicle, officers discovered 108 bags of charcoal, leading to the arrest of the four suspects.
During court proceedings, station prosecution officer Inspector Amos Mwase told the court that the suspects were found in possession of forest produce without a permit, contrary to forestry regulations.
The first and second convicts pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing and trafficking forest produce without a permit, while the third and fourth convicts pleaded guilty to one count each.
In mitigation, the convicts pleaded for leniency, saying they have family responsibilities.
However, prosecutor Mwase asked the court to impose stiffer punishments, arguing that illegal charcoal trading contributes to deforestation, habitat destruction and climate change.
Senior Resident Magistrate Muhammad Chande concurred with the state, saying the illegal charcoal business frustrates efforts by the Forestry Department and its partners to restore forests in Mangochi District.
The court ordered Kambwiri to pay a K1.5 million fine for possessing forest produce without a permit or serve one year imprisonment in default, in addition to a three-year jail term for trafficking forest produce without a permit.
Sharifu was fined K800,000 or in default serve one year imprisonment for possession of forest produce without a permit and was also sentenced to three years imprisonment for trafficking forest produce without a permit.
Meanwhile, Haj and Jonas were each sentenced to two-and-a-half years imprisonment for trafficking forest produce without a permit.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of all the 108 bags of charcoal to the Malawi Government, while ruling on the forfeiture of the motor vehicle has been reserved for a later date.
