Ntchenachena Zone Natural Resources Committee Chairperson, Stain Nyasulu has been arrested for allegedly cutting down trees at Vitumbi area in Nyika National Park.

According to Deputy Spokesperson for Rumphi Police Station, Tupeliwe Kabwilo, Nyasulu was last Friday found cutting down trees by game rangers who were patrolling the pack at Vitumbi area within the protected area.

“Nyasulu is said to have been cutting down trees in the park for timber making which is his usual business, according to reports from community members around the area,” said Kabwilo.

He said the game rangers took the suspect to Rumphi Police where he was charged for entering and conveying weapons into the protected area without permission and destruction of wild plants contrary to sections 32 as read with Section 108, and 33(a) of National Parks and Wildlife Act respectively.

“Nyasulu will appear before court soon to answer both charges levelled against him,” he said.

When contacted, Nyika-Vwaza Association Chairperson, Chiza Mkandawire said his organization is following the case with keen interest and will be verifying whether the suspect has a case to answer according to their organization’s constitution.

Nyasulu committed the offence barely a week after Total Land Care which is implementing a Transfontier Conservation Area (TFCA) Project around Nyika National Park and Vwaza Wildlife Reserve held a sensitization campaign on the dangers of destroying the environment in the area.

Nyasulu hails from Mugomba Village in the area of Traditional Authority Mwalweni in Rumphi District.