Two Arrested in Thyolo After Suspected Stolen Railway Materials Found Hidden Under Scrap Metal
Published on July 21, 2026 at 11:17 AM by Evance Kapito
Police in Thyolo have arrested two men after intercepting a seven-tonne lorry allegedly carrying stolen railway materials concealed beneath scrap metal.
The suspects have been identified as James Maliongo, 26, from Vulera Village, Traditional Authority M’biza in Mulanje District, and Andrew Mpezeni, 22, from Gilioti Village, Inkosi Bvumbwe in Thyolo.
Thyolo Police Deputy Public Relations Officer Blessing Rabson said the arrests followed a tip-off that a vehicle carrying suspected stolen railway bars and sleepers was travelling from Thekelani towards Thyolo.
According to Rabson, detectives mounted an emergency roadblock and intercepted the lorry at around 3:00 a.m.
A search of the vehicle allegedly uncovered more than 100 railway bars and sleepers hidden beneath a layer of scrap metal.
The lorry was impounded, while the two suspects were taken into police custody.
Rabson said investigations are ongoing and the suspects are expected to face charges of possession of goods reasonably suspected to have been stolen and illegal transportation of suspected stolen property.
