Tulani Ngwenya
NSANJE, Malawi – Police in Nsanje have arrested three men for allegedly being in illegal possession of ivory, following a joint operation conducted by law enforcement and wildlife authorities.
The suspects, identified as Osman Osman (24), Dhino Alfred (27), and Daniel Namaliwa (25), were apprehended on Monday at Nsanje Trading Centre. The arrest came after police received a tip-off that the trio was attempting to sell ivory in the area.
According to Nsanje Police Station Public Relations Officer Agnes Zalakoma, the operation was carried out by a team comprising officers from Nsanje and Chikwawa Criminal Investigation Departments (CID) and led by Detective Sub-Inspector Mable Lwanda, a wildlife and environmental investigator.
“Following the tip-off, a joint operation was conducted, which led to the arrest of the suspects. They were found with two pieces of raw ivory,” said Zalakoma.
The three suspects are currently in police custody and are expected to appear in court once investigations are complete. They will face charges of being found in possession of a specimen of a listed species, an offence under Section 86 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act.
The suspects come from different areas: Osman and Alfred hail from Nthukuso Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Malemia in Nsanje, while Namaliwa is from Mutambo Village, T/A Kaduya in Phalombe District.
Authorities have stressed the importance of protecting wildlife and urged the public to report any suspicious activities related to poaching or illegal wildlife trade. “The fight against wildlife crime requires cooperation between law enforcement and communities to safeguard our natural heritage,” Zalakoma said.
Malawi has made significant strides in combating wildlife crime in recent years. Once identified as a transit hub for ivory trafficking in 2016, the country now enforces some of the world’s toughest wildlife protection laws. Enhanced law enforcement measures, including regular searches at international airports by the Wildlife Detection Dog Unit, have made the illegal export of wildlife products increasingly difficult. Notably, there has been no major international illegal wildlife trade seizure linked to Malawi since March 2017.
The establishment of a wildlife crime laboratory in Malawi has further bolstered efforts to combat trafficking. Previously, wildlife rangers and investigators relied on overseas laboratories, which posed challenges such as evidence being rejected in court. The new lab represents a significant advancement in the fight against wildlife crime within the country.
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Despite these advancements, wildlife crime remains a serious threat to the survival of iconic species such as elephants, rhinos, and pangolins in Malawi and across the continent. A recent review highlighted that wildlife crime continues to present significant challenges, underscoring the need for ongoing vigilance and action.
The recent arrests represent progress that has been made; authorities continue to urge the public to report any suspicious activities related to poaching or illegal wildlife trade. The fight against wildlife crime requires ongoing cooperation between law enforcement and communities to safeguard the nation’s natural heritage.
