Two Tanzanian nationals have been apprehended by the authorities in Ntchisi, Malawi, for their alleged involvement in illegal mining activities within the Ntchisi Forest Reserve.

The suspects, identified as Thomas Mapunda, 44, and Fazili Amisi, 30, were arrested following joint patrols conducted by officers from the Regional Forest Office in Lilongwe and their counterparts in Ntchisi.

Glory Kondowe, the Deputy Police spokesperson for Ntchisi, confirmed the arrests and stated that the officers discovered the suspects while they were reportedly extracting precious stones, including gold, from the forest reserve.

During the operation, the authorities seized two water pump generators and various equipment believed to have been used in the illegal mining activities