Police court fuel station owners

Police in Lilongwe have engaged service station owners on the need to ensure that they serve customers diligently amid fuel scarcity in the country.

The meeting on Monday followed reports that some fuel service stations owners were hoarding the commodity to sell to black market vendors.

Speaking during the meeting, Lilongwe Police Station criminal investigations officer Loudoni Mthinda said hoarding fuel was a crime.

He said: “We have learned with disappointment that some fuel service stations are hoarding the commodity to sell to unscrupulous traders.

“We are investigating these allegations. If they turn out to be true, we will arrest those responsible.”

Mthinda also advised service station owners to ensure that they deposit their sales to avoid being targeted by thugs.

On his part, Lilongwe Police Station community policing coordinator Gift Mzembe urged service station attendants to keep vehicles at a considerable distance to prevent chaos.

“Do not allow vehicles to pour into the fuel service station because that will create chaos. Rather, motorists should queue orderly and drive into the fuel service station during their turn to refill their vehicles,” he said.

Bunda Turn-Off Total Filling Station manager Marjorie Pondani commended the police for the meeting.

She said: “We have learned a thing or two on how we can enhance security at fuel service stations.

“However, I want to dismiss that fuel service station owners are hoarding fuel to sell to unscrupulous traders from the black market.”

Lilongwe-based motorist Chikondi Jana commended the police for sharing tips on order in service stations.

“We need order in service stations, otherwise, some people will spend nights in vain,” he said.