By Yohane Symon:
A Turkish national is among 14 latest suspects to be arrested for allegedly conducting unlicenced mining activities in Namizimu Forest Reserve in Mangochi District.
Last week, Malawi Defence Force soldiers rounded up 118 suspects and handed them over to police.
Eastern Region Police spokesperson, Joseph Sauka, said the 132 suspects are in police custody pending trial scheduled for November 5 2018 at the Zomba Chief Resident Magistrate Court.
“We do not have the Turkish suspect in our custody in Zomba, so we are not aware of his particulars. We only have three foreigners from Tanzania, DRC [Democratic Republic of the Congo] and Mozambique,” Sauka said.
Malawi Police Service spokesperson, James Kadadzera, confirmed that they are keeping the Turkish national but referred The Daily Times to his deputy Thomeck Nyaude.
However, as we went to press, Nyaude said he was waiting for Kadadzera’s permission before disclosing the particulars of the Turkish national.
Police sources say the suspects would be charged illegal settlement and mining.
Following a petition which some concerned people of Mangochi presented to President Peter Mutharika, the soldiers evicted the suspected illegal miners who are searching for gold and other precious stones.
Leave a Reply