At least 109 businesspersons have been arrested and prosecuted in connection to farm-gate prices across the country, according to the Malawi Police Service.

The offences range from buying farm produce without a license, to buying farm produce using unrecommended scales.

The latest case is that of Phalombe where the First Grade Magistrate’s Court on May 19, 2021 convicted 9 businesspersons for buying farm produce without a license.

The accused persons were sentenced to pay a fine of K60, 000.00 each, or to be jailed for 9 months.

The court also forfeited to government 75 bags of rice and 2 bags of beans seized by police during the operation.

Furthermore, a fine of K175, 000.00 has been ordered to redeem the motor vehicle that was used to carry the farm produce.

Police is warning Malawians particularly businesspersons against buying farm produce below the minimum prices and that the law enforcers will continue monitoring the markets.

MPS has therefore assured Malawians that all unscrupulous traders will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.