3 Arrested for Alleged Theft of Rail Materials

3 Arrested for Alleged Theft of Rail Materials

Police at Luchenza in Thyolo have arrested three people in connection to the theft rail materials along Limbe-Sandama railway line valued at K3.8 million.

South East Police spokesperson Rodrick Maida has identified the trio as John Khembo, aged 31, from Welemu Village, Traditional Authority Ndalama, Steven Maseya, 22, of Thowera Village, Traditional Authority Ndalama and Chinsisi Matiki, 27, of Lolo Village, Traditional Authority Nanseta all from Thyolo district.

Maida told Zodiak on Monday that the suspects have been caught with 51 railway sleepers.

"These three suspects were found with 51 railway sleepers valued at K3, 825 million at Welemu village and were caught by the villagers.

“Thereafter, they then reported them to Luchenza police who rushed to the scene and took them. The three are expected to appear in court soon to answer the case of theft," Maida said.

The arrest comes barely days following increased theft reports of railway materials along Nansadi, Ndata farm, Makandi and seven villages in Luchenza where Nacala logistics is rehabilitating a 72 kilometre Limbe-Sandama railway section.

It is believed that thieves are selling rail materials to metal scrap traders who export them to countries such as, South Africa and Tanzania.

Government embarked on the rehabilitation of the 72 Km Limbe-Sandama railway line to revive rail transport in the country.

The vandalism is feared to bloat the rehabilitation cost currently at about K10.4 billion.

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