Police in Thyolo have arrested 11 men on suspicion that they have stolen railway scrap materials along Limbe-Sandama railway line valued at K7.2 million. 

Thyolo Police deputy publicist, Rabecca Kashoti said the suspects have been apprehended at Masambanjati along Thyolo-Thekerani-Bangula road carrying the metals and five gas cylinders in a lorry, registration number PE 2443. 

 

Kashoti said "we acted on a tip that the suspects had carried the rail materials from Sandama village in the district. Then the officers mounted an ad hoc roadblock before arresting the 11". 

 

She has identified the suspects as a driver, Kenneth Adam from  Chiradzulu, Foster Junior, from Thyolo, Samson William, from Mangochi and eight others Lawrence Rabison,  Chimwemwe Mwalapi, Nelson Kananji, Madalo Yasin, Steven Richie, Livisoni Mwale, Master Blamio, Wyson Mphonda

from Blantyre. 

 

Meanwhile, Group Village Headman Sandama has told Zodiak Online on Tuesday that people have extensively vandalised Chilunguni rail bridge and have descended on Nsuwazi bridge.

 

GVH Sandama has ironically claimed that some people have allegedly brought a letter from Limbe Railways. 

 

But Central East Railway was yet to comment on the claims. 

 

This comes barely days after government's six months ban on scrap metal business in the country, owing to massive vandalism of equipment for the utility bodies. 

 

Government is rehabilitating the 72 kilometres railway line from Limbe to Sandama after it was damaged by the floods.