A renowned musician, John Malunga is in police custody for allegedly selling counterfeit products.

Police investigations have established that the suspect was on contract with C & NF, a Mulanje-based company which produces and sells Ruo Body Cleaner (Ufa wa mbatata).

Because of the suspect’s talent in music, the company hired him to promote and sell their product.

According to a statement made at Mchinji Police Station by the managing director of C & NF company, Crispin Jedegwa, 34, from Mapeleka village in the area of Traditional Authority Mabuka in Mulanje, his company discovered a counterfeit Ruo product on market which prompted them to embark on an enquiry to trace the source.

However, Mchinji Police officers were tipped-off by a member of the community that the musician was behind the production of the counterfeit product.

As a result, the police instituted an investigation and seized the products which he was selling and it was discovered that he was selling fake and counterfeit products bearing same trademark as C & NF Product.

Following an official complaint from the company, John Malunga was on 22nd May, 2017 arrested for proper investigations.

The suspect will appear before court soon to answer charges under intellectual property crimes as stipulated by the Copyright Act.

John Malunga, 36, hails from Kamitengo village, Traditional Authority Mlonyeni in Mchinji.

Meanwhile the Malawi Police Service warns all unsuspecting customers who knowingly buy counterfeit products that the behaviour attracts major risks as they may become vulnerable to serious physical, financial or moral injuries. Hence the need to report all perpetrators to police.