Malawi to burn K5bn ivory in Mzuzu after court order: Minister Msaka reluctant
Malawi government is Monday set to burn into ashes K5 billion worth of ivory at Mzuzu Natural Sanctuary after a failed attempt by the state to rescue them.
Judge Dingiswayo Madise ruled on Friday that the 850 pieces of ivory be burnt on Monday in Mzuzu in the presence of top government officials, the police and judiciary officials among others.
This was after the Tanzanian government to stop the burning of the ivory pieces as the elephants whose ivory is to be burnt were poached in Malawi, Tanzania and Malawi.
Minister of Natural Resources Bright Msaka said on Friday at a news conference there was no need to burn the ivory as it can be sold and the money be put to good use in this ailing economy.
“There should be a debate among Malawians in the country on whether we should be destroying ivory or not,” said Msaka.
He said the government position is that the ivory should not be burned, saying the money realised could beef up resources in the ever dwindling national budget.
Last year an exercise to burn another set of ivory by President Peter Mutharika was halted last minute after the state said the ivory was to be used in a court exhibition.
Malawians on social media then suggested to government to sell off the ivory instead of burning the billions of money to ashes but Mutharika said there was no law that allows the sale of such ivory.
if we sel this confinscated ivory bcz our economy z ailing,r we also going to sell confinscated indian hemp(chamba) and confinscated albino bones for the same reason? even if you say yes then where n how r u going to sell this ivory contraband? work up guyz
kkkkkkkkkkkk k5bn loss
Tinayesa kale izi. The ivory later found its way to other countries via Australia. Otchani basi.
NDINGATI ULIBE CHAKUDYA MYUMBA NDIYE NDI KUMATAYA CHAKUDYA MU DUST BIN YOU SELL THAT IVORY AND PUT MONEY IN GOVERNMENT WAKE UP MALAWI THOSE COUNTRIES WHO ARE SAYING DONT SELL IVORY THEY WONT EVEN GIVE YOU A CENT TO HELP MALAWI ECONOMY LETS SLEEPING DOGS LIE KIKI
how can this minister be such a hypocrite. the president has pledged in photos and newspapers to stop the ivory trade, and well done on that. the ivory cannot be sold, it is illegal. if this minister would like to go to jail for us, that would be great. or maybe they can sell his teeth instead of the beautiful ivory off of an elephant. this must stop, soon there will be no elephants in malawi. then no trees. no fish. and then the asians will leave you with a football stadium and hotels you cannot afford to maintain because… Read more »
Gentlemen why do you want to change laws after judgement has already been done? Limenelo ndiye dyera. Wotchani zimenezi. Ku parliament angotaya nthawi ndi dalama kumangocheza kujomba Get worried about that. The president was right.
Do not burn the ivory. Let it be sold and the money be shared btwn Mw and Tz.
Mr Msaka ivory sale is banned internationally so are you going to sell it on black market?you want to encourage poaching of more elephants.