Hearse driver pays K2.5m for transporting charcoal

A hearse driver has been fined K2.5 million after a court found him guilty of illegally transporting charcoal.

The Chikwawa Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court convicted 59-year-old Lenard Kalonga after he was caught transporting 40 bags of charcoal without a permit in a hearse travelling from Chikwawa to Blantyre.

State prosecutor Assistant Superintendent Enerst Mangwena told the court that Kalonga was arrested on the evening of February 14, 2026, at Thabwa Roadblock after forestry officials received a tip that the hearse, registration number CZ 7291, was carrying illegal charcoal. A search confirmed the vehicle contained 40 bags of charcoal.

Kalonga pleaded guilty to trafficking charcoal without a permit but denied a second charge of possessing charcoal without a permit. The State called five witnesses, whose testimony convinced the court to find him guilty on both counts.

Charcoal discovered in hearse

Prosecutors asked the court to impose a stiff sentence, arguing that the offences were serious, while Kalonga pleaded for leniency, citing his personal circumstances.

Senior Resident Magistrate Gift Msume initially sentenced Kalonga to three years imprisonment with hard labour on the first count and two years on the second count.

However, the court suspended both custodial sentences on condition that he pay fines of K1 million and K1.5 million respectively, bringing the total fine to K2.5 million.

The 40 bags of charcoal were forfeited to the Malawi Government, and Kalonga who comes from Chibwana Village under Traditional Authority Mpama in Chiradzulu District has since paid the full amount.