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.