Police in the southern Malawi district of Nsanje have intercepted a Mozambican boat and arrested two Mozambican nationals for allegedly smuggling 36 bags of maize.
The boat is Apollo 11 and was recently certified by Malawi’s Department of Marine Services to ply between Nsanje in Malawi and Megaza in Mozambique along the Shire River.
Nsanje Police officer-in-charge Assistant Commissioner Sekani Tembo said they intercepted the boat on Wednesday afternoon.
 “The agreed procedure is that whenever the boat is leaving or arriving in Nsanje, they [operators] should let us know so that the police, immigration, marine and other concerned departments should check what they are carrying in or outside the country.
“So, as a routine, we searched them on this day and we gave them clearance to go. But we got a tip-off that the maize was hidden at a place called Dinde. We followed and caught them loading the bags,†said Tembo.
Tembo identified the two suspects as Jose Joao Chiku (36) and Zitoo Jaimee (28).
Malawi banned exportation of maize due to food shortage that has hit some parts of the country.
The suspects have been charged with exporting controlled goods.
Â
