MANGOCHI-(MaraviPost)-The Malawi Police in Mangochi have arrested two men for being found in possession of a live pangolin, a protected species under Malawi’s wildlife laws.
According to Mangochi Police Spokesperson Inspector Amina Tepani Daudi,the suspects have been identified as Andrew Kombo,aged 33, a Pastor at Malindi Faith Ministries Church, and James Wilson, 55 years old.
The duo were arrested on the evening of July 10, 2025, at Ntagaluka Village, under Traditional Authority Chowe in Mangochi.
“Mangochi Police detectives were tipped off by members of the community that two men were in possession of a live pangolin and were offering it for sale,”said Daudi.
Acting on the information, police officers, in coordination with officials from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, rushed to the scene and apprehended the two suspects after they were found with the live pangolin hidden in a black laptop bag.
According to statistics, from January 2025 to date, this is the first case of Pangolin (two suspects) to have been registered, compared to three cases (three suspects) recorded during the same period last year.
The suspects will appear before court to answer a charge of illegal possession of specimens of listed species, contrary to Section 110(b) of the National Parks and Wildlife Act, once all documentation is completed.
Pastor Kombo hails from Khuyu village, Traditional Authority Mkumba in Likoma while and Wilson comes from Mtiwule Village, Traditional Authority Makanjira in Mangochi.
