Police seize 20 ‘hot cars’ in Malawi, dozens arrested in Sarpco crackdown

About 20 cars including luxury vehicles have been impounded and dozens of people arrested on various offences. The crackdown targeted vehicles reported stolen in Africa and sold to unsuspecting buyers locally under Southern Africa Regional Police Fiscal Operation (Sarpco) dubbed Tugela.

According to the consolidated report for Tugela operation for the whole country made available to Nyasa Times, police impounded vehicles which had been detected stolen from South Africa or whose chassis
numbers were tampered with.

The impounded vehicles ranged from Toyota fortuners, Toyota  double cabins, Toyota Hilux double cabins, Toyota Hilux single cabin, Benz, Toyota Hilux pick up, Audi, Toyota rainder.

A Chinese national, a Mr. Chai has been arrested in connection to one of the impounded vehicles, Toyota Fortuner registration KA 5875 (silver in colour).

Police have also arrested Christopher Maulidi who was found with a Toyota Fortuner registration BQ 6441 and Don Chinyundo who was found with Toyota Hilux pick-up registration BR 8020.

Under the same operation, the law-enforcers have arrested 23 for being found in possession of canabis sativa.

A Burundian, Rodney Mike, Anyuma J. Obina (Nigerian) and two others have been arrested for being found with counterfeit products such medical drugs groceries, cosmetics, cigarette.

Four people were arrested for operating clinics or pharmacies without licences while one person was found with greener rifle (No. 53821).

Police said 10 people who were on wanted list have been arrested on offences like house breaking/breaking into a building and committing felony therein.

Arrested for rogue and vagabond are 28, five people were found with fuel without licence, and three people were found with property suspected to have been stolen.

National Police publicist, Rhoda Manjolo has since advised the general public to be extra careful when buying or conducting businesses.

”People are being reminded to seek medical attention in hospitals or clinics which are licenced and buy standard products,” said Manjolo.

She hailed the support the general public gave during the course of the operation and appealed for that co operation.