Mzuzu police confiscate 15 000 kg charcoal in six months

Despite efforts several stakeholders are putting in place to eradicate deforestation, police at Jowelo roadblock in Mzuzu report that they have confiscated 15 000 kilogrammes (kg) of charcoal within six months January to June this year.

District forest officer Agness Nyirenda revealed this on Thursday at the handover of new road block facilities which T and T Investment has built on the Mzuzu-Nkhata Bay Road.

The facilities include, iron block and officers shelter worth K3 million.

Nyirenda said using the old structures at the roadblock, forest officials together with police officers each month confiscated 50 bags of charcoal weighing 50 kg each of charcoal in a month which translate to 15 000 kg in six months.

“The roadblock is not only good in curbing traffic crimes, it will also assist in discouraging cutting down of trees in the forest surrounding it,” she said.

T and T Investment managing director Tansif Mirza said the support is in line with the company’s values of giving back to the community.

He said the company is aware of the role the police play in providing security to communities in Mzuzu.

Police Deputy Commissioner Lovemore Mwabumba described the support as timely because roadblocks are crucial in recovering crimes.

“Roadblocks are check points for crimes. The support will therefore go a long way on improving crime curbing,” he said.