Businessman held for being found with 42 bags of subsidized fertilizer
Police in Malawi’s southern district of Balaka have arrested a businessman based at Balaka town for allegedly being found in possession of 42 bags of subsidized fertilizer which are suspected to have been unlawfully obtained.
The suspect Joseph Walani 32 was nabbed by the Police who elected an ad hock road block after being tipped by well wishers that the suspect was transporting the fertilizer in a 3 Tonner Toyota Dyna lorry registration number BQ 5650 and was transporting the fertilizer to Tsangano in Central district Ntcheu district en-route to Mozambique.
After searching the vehicle, it was discovered that the suspect was transporting 42 bags of subsidized fertilizer of which 22 bags were for NPK while 20 were for UREA and failed to produce receipts.
The suspect told the police during interrogation that he was buying the fertilizer from local farmers from Mwima area in the district at a price of K7000.00 per bag.
Balaka police spokesperson Joseph Sauka confirmed the development saying the police have seized the fertilizers and the vehicle.
“The suspect is expected to appear before court soon where he will answer a case of found in possession of property suspected to have been unlawfully obtained or stolen contrary to section 329 of the Penal code,” says Sauka.
Walani comes from Maliwata village, Sub Traditional Authority Sawali in Balaka district.
In a related development, Balaka Police is investigating an allegation where Mrs Mary Ngwangwa is complaining to have bought fertilizer mixed with sand at Small Holder Fertilizer Revolving Fund of Malawi -Balaka deport.
Meanwhile, the Shop has just given the victim another bag of fertilizer as investigations are going ahead.
