Through a joint operation with the African Parks, police in Machinga have arrested two men for possessing fire arms and rounds of live ammunitions which are suspected to be used in poaching in the Liwonde National Park.

Machinga Police crime investigation officer, Inspector John Gwaza confirmed the arrest of Malinganya Bamusui, 63 of Kulunda village, Traditional Authority Liwonde in the district and Duncan Matewere , 35 of Mikonga village, Traditional Authority Liwonde.

Following a tip, the police recently, arrested Bamusi and later recovered an AK 47 and nine rounds of ammunitions which were buried behind his house in a garden, Gwaza added.

The police also arrested Matewere who was keeping an AK 47 rifle with one live ammunition and they were recovered in his garden while buried.
Bamusi and Matewere are poachers according to people of Liwonde area.

The two are currently in police custody waiting to appear before court soon to answer charges contrary to parks and wildlife acts.

In February the police at Ntaja arrested Mc Pherson Jali for possessing a rifle and four live ammunitions which were also suspected to use for poaching in the protected Liwonde National park currently being run by the African Park under special agreement with Malawi Government.

All the men involved in illegal possession of rifle and possession of ivory come from Traditional Authority Liwonde which is closer to the national park.

In March this year police arrested Davie Bonongwe for being found in possession of a fire arm and three live ammunitions without license contrary to Section 12 of the Fire Arms, according to Machinga Police.

The rifle and the ammunitions were believed to be stolen from a Liwonde National Park fence attendant, Beston Chabwera who was staying at Issa Camp at Traditional Authority Liwonde.

Chabwera was busy in the garden at the time of theft, according to Machinga Police who arrested him for questioning.

Police arrested Chabwera for abuse of office contrary to Section 92 of the Penal Code.

Bonongwe claimed that Chabwera hire him the rifle and the ammunitions for K50, 000.00 for undisclosed period.

Recently Machinga Police arrested Davis Chapola, 32 and Bizwick Kauzane, 35 for being found in possession of five kilogrammes of ivory valued at K750, 000.00 as the two were selling the ivory at K40, 000 at Ngokwe in the district at the time of their arrest.mana