Police Hunt Suspects After Ammunition Goes Missing in Mangochi Clash
Published on April 30, 2026 at 11:23 AM by Evance Kapito
Police in Mangochi say investigations are underway to trace suspects and recover five rounds of ammunition that went missing during a confrontation with charcoal vendors in Phirilongwe Forest.
According to Mangochi Police spokesperson Amina Tepani Daudi, officers have so far recovered the firearm that was lost during the struggle, along with five out of the ten rounds of ammunition initially taken. However, no arrests have been made yet.
The incident occurred after communities raised concerns over rampant deforestation linked to charcoal production. When police attempted to intercept a truck carrying bags of charcoal, the vendors reportedly turned on the officers, leading to a scuffle in which the weapon was seized.
In a related development, police in Monkey Bay last month intercepted another truck carrying about 300 bags of charcoal, highlighting ongoing efforts to curb illegal charcoal trade, especially during the peak of the tree-planting season aimed at promoting forest conservation.
