Police, chiefs vow to fight illegal fuel business

Police and chiefs in Dedza have expressed commitment to work together to fight illegal fuel business in the district to protect people’s lives.

The pact to work together follows concerns that some people keep fuel in their homes, which has resulted in fire accidents.

Speaking on Saturday during the launch of Golomoti Total Service Station in the district, Dedza Police Station officer-in-charge Mwizamose Nyoni expressed concern that some people keep fuel in their homes, thereby putting people’s lives in danger.

“We have recorded three fuel fire accidents. We had one in Mayani, another in Njonja and one in Chafumbwa. We lost four lives in these fire accidents,” she said.

Nyoni called on TotalEnergies and the dealer for Golomoti Service Station to not allow people to buy fuel in jerry cans. She said services stations should take a lead in fighting illegal fuel business.

Senior Chief Kachindamoto also condemned illegal fuel business and pledged to work with police to fight the vice.

She said chiefs in the district are sensitising people to the dangers of keeping fuel in their homes.

Said Kachindamoto: “However, I thank TotalEnergies for establishing Golomoti Total Service Station as it will help motorists to access fuel within short distance along the M5.

“Previously, motorists and vehicles from health facilities were travelling long distances to access fuel. This forced vendors to buy fuelin jerry cans to sell here.”

Golomoti Service Station dealer Yona Kanjiwa said he will not tolerate selling fuel to people with jerry cans.

TotalErnegies commercial manager Honesty Nyasulu said selling fuel to people with jerry cans is illegal.