Six arrested over illegal mining in Chitipa forest
By Andrew Weddings……..
Police in Chitipa have arrested six people for allegedly conducting illegal mining activities in Binoni Forest along the Chambo River under Senior Chief Mwabulambya in the district.
Chitipa Police Station Public Relations Officer, Sergeant Rabson Mkandawire, confirmed the arrests, saying the suspects were apprehended in the early hours of July 8, 2026, following a tip-off from members of the public.
According to Mkandawire, police officers from Chitipa Police Station acted on intelligence indicating that illegal mining was taking place in the protected forest and launched an operation that led to the arrest of the six suspects at Binoni Village.
The suspects have been identified as Blessings Mwanjawe, 34, of Ng’ambu Village, Traditional Authority (TA) Lundu in Chikwawa District; Wyson Mangani, 44, of Kulunda Village, TA Liwonde in Machinga District; John Robert, 25, of Naminjiwa Village, TA Mkhumba in Phalombe District; Lazaro Silumbu, 29, and Clement Sichali, 52, both from Chendo Village; and Watson Sikwese, 24, of Chambo Village, all under Senior Chief Mwabulambya in Chitipa District.
Police say the suspects are expected to appear before court once investigations are completed and the necessary legal procedures have been finalised.
