Malawi Police Nab Soldiers and Civilians: in a series of special intelligence-led operations conducted over the past week, the Malawi Police Service (MPS) has arrested 23 people and seized numerous illegal firearms and deadly weapons.
The activities began after a member of the public provided information about a suspect, Mike Minjale, who is suspected of bringing illicit firearms into the nation and distributing them to various individuals.
On June 3, 2025, MPS investigators took action based on the intelligence and detained Minjale at a roadblock set up at Ngumbe in Blantyre.
The special team’s subsequent actions led to additional arrests and the seizure of illicit firearms in several districts, including Blantyre, Nsanje, Chiradzulu, Zomba, Lilongwe, Ntchisi, and Dowa.
Detectives were able to seize over 325 blank cartridges, 19 firearms, 415 live rounds of ammunition, and three explosive devices throughout the raids.
It was discovered that Minjale had transported 20 handguns from South Africa into Malawi and given them to several others who were also taken into custody during the crackdown.
Investigators are making every effort to find the last pistol and capture the owner.
During the crackdown, investigators captured three officers from the Malawi Defence Force (MDF), two Chinese, and one British/Italian national.
The accused will shortly be charged with illegally possessing deadly weapons and bringing in commodities that were dishonestly obtained elsewhere.
MPS asks the public to abstain from illegally obtaining or possessing firearms and other dangerous, controlled weapons. Those who break the law will be arrested and prosecuted.
The Service further urges anybody who knows of any unlawful gun ownership to notify law enforcement.
Minjale 39 is from Kaluluma Village in the Mwanza District’s TA Nthache.
Deputy National Public Relations Office Superintendent Harry Namwaza contributed to this story article.
