Sub Inspector Agnes Zalakoma, the Nsanje police publicist, revealed that four individuals from Nthondo village under Senior Chief Tengani’s area are in police custody for illegally opening farms in Matandwe Forest Reserve.

Among the suspects are 78-year-old Mbitchana Mulinganiza, 33-year-old Isaac Peter, 40-year-old Esther Sempulo, and 23-year-old Alice Chiyembekezo.

The arrests were made during a joint patrol operation with wildlife park officials, where the suspects were caught cultivating and harvesting maize inside the protected area.

The four will face charges for opening farms and carrying weapons within the protected zone.