Malawi Police warns illegal fuel traders
Malawi Police Service have strongly warned that they will clamp down on illegal fuel traders, stressing that they will only recognize licensed selling points.
Those to be found in conflict with the law, according to the police, will be given a K50 million fine.
Illegal dealers buy the fuel mostly from truck drivers with illegal selling sites established along strategic and busy routes within cities and those connecting major cities.
Speaking through Tikhale Tcheru, a television programme on MBCÂ Thursday, Senior Deputy Commission Foster Mangani, who is responsible for Blantyre Urban, stressed that illegal fuel sales cause loss of revenue related to tax and also comprises safety and security of households.
“If we find anyone dealing in it without supporting documents or license, we will be compelled to enforce the laws and we will only recognize designated selling points such as fuel service stations.
“It could not be today or tomorrow, but will sure catch you and brought book for doing unlicensed business in the country and it does not bring any tax to government for its operations,” said Mangani.
He then said unlicensed fuel traders are liable to K50 million penalties.
Mangani further requested the general public to report to police any unscrupulous trader so as to ensure communities’ safety and security.
“As a law enforcing agency authority, we only allow those with certified certificate from Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA), to run fuel business in the country,” he stressed.
On his part, representative of Petroleum Importers Limited (PIL) Calisto Chitsulo, who are sponsors of the TV programme, discouraged people from keeping fuel in their homes to avoid loss of life and property.
Chitsulo also advised motorists not to buy fuel form black markets for the betterment of the vehicles.
“Don’t risk your vehicles good people. The fuel that is found in black markets is detrimental to your vehicles as it is usually of low quality, and times, compromised with other liquid products,” said Chitsulo.
Tikhale Tcheru TV programme, produced by Blantyre based Elephant Media Productions, is a Malawi Police Service initiative aimed at raising awareness and combating crimes in the country.
Southern Region Police publicist Beatrice Mikuwa hailed PIL for supporting them in a bid to reduce crimes and other related vices in the country.
“We now able to reach out to the general public with vital information. We need general public’s support as in far as the fight against crimes is concerned.
“We also depend on tips from people clamp down on crimes and illegal fuel traders,” said Mikuwa before requesting other corporate entities to borrow a leaf from PIL.
“Our partnership with the police is not only targeted at illegal fuel traders; we came to help reducing crimes in the country by supporting the security agency’s community policing programmes and other initiatives aimed at combating crimes.
“The programme also highlights the duties and responsibilities of both the duty bearers and communities, so its no one man show,” said PIL General Manager Enwell Kadango.
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How will the police stop policemen selling fuel from police vehicles? rather than diverting attention from insecurity in the country, they will be busy focusing on non-issues. If fuel is expensive, people will find cheaper sources
Just another example of the police poking their noses into other peoples business. It is the MRA or MERA who should be controlling the sale of fuel. But with so few filling stations in rural areas there is no option for mini bus, maize mills and clinic vehicles but to use re-sold fuel. I also agree with the statement that may be we are going to have fuel shortages soon.
Ine mafuta ndilinawo, bwerani muzandimange, shupiti
Nanga poti ka only filling station ka pa Thyolo pa boma ka makhala kopanda mafuta nthawi zonse, timadalira black market ya pa number one asaa
If a prson burnt which resposibility are you taking?And even attendance of funeral you stay away.be harshed oky
Oky lam under that point but before stops vendars selling fuel should have planted enough pumps in our areas
Is very very far where we can find filling station so we as villagers.we depend pipo who have efforts to bring fuel from town to vilange and even the distance itself is almost 95 kilomiters to get fuel so l think mister have to see doctor some how your not good in your mind stupid
Police be serious you have some cases to solve not,storys like this vendars are good have source to bring fuel from out side malawi.where gvmt surrender vendars start from there so why you hate them.
In Chitipa, ambulances and police vehicles run on fuel from the black market. They even borrow and when funding comes write cheques to pay these dealers using some ‘official’ names. It’s hard to imagine how the district can run without the fuel vendors. Government therefore need to provide the people of chitipa with filling stations first b4 talking of dealing with the vendors.
Police ndi vindere vakufikapo. Pita udzikagwira okuba ndi mfuti osati dzamtudzu dzanudzi