Truck Driver, Four Others Nabbed for Selling Relief Maize in Ntcheu

A driver, two assistants have arrested for selling relief maize and three vendors for buying at Kasinje Trading Centre along Salima-Balaka M5 road.

According to Ntcheu police public relations officer, Hastings Chigalu, the five were arrested at around 0100hrs and have been identified as the driver, William Scott, 35, Thomas Frackson, 20 (driver assistant), Samson Chipisa 22, (driver assistant), Patrick Majawa, 26 (maize vendor) and Manson Kankhuni 32 who is also a maize vendor.

Chigalu said Mr Scott was driving a truck registration number BLK 4474 (horse), and trailer registration number BLK 4472, belonging to Mulli Brothers loaded with 600 bags of relief maize, weighing 50 kilograms each, from Kanengo Silos destined for Mangochi District Commissioner’s Office.

“Instead of proceeding with the relief maize to Mangochi, the driver, and his two assistants decided to branch to Kasinje Trading Centre with one aim, to enrich themselves at the expense of people affected by torrential rains that has left many in dire need of basic items,” said Chigalu.

Police received information and quickly acted hence the arrest of the culprits at the said Trading Centre.

“After a physical check and search, it was discovered that a total of 168 bags were illegally sold, and a sum of K1,467,000.00 (one million, four hundred and sixty seven thousand kwacha), believed to be the proceeds from the sale of the relief maize, was recovered from the driver, added Chigalu.

The driver, and all his accomplices are in Police custody waiting to appear in court to answer a case of theft.

Meanwhile, Police is warning all citizens involved in transporting, storing, and distributing relief items that the law will not be lenient to anyone who find himself on the other side of the law.