Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) has closed Total Filling Station at Mchinji Border for failing to comply with the authority’s directives on restriction of selling fuel in jerry cans.
The move follows police operation that led to the arrest of five suspects and the confiscation of 42 jerry cans of fuel.
MERA Legal Officer, Clement Ng’ambi, said the filling station failed to comply by ignoring the order that fuel should only be sold directly into motor vehicles.
“As MERA, we urge all fuel service stations to adhere to our regulations. Selling fuel in jerry cans is strictly prohibited, fuel should be sold by directly fueling the motor vehicle,” said Ng’ambi.
Mchinji Police officers received intelligence about illegal fuel sales and launched a patrol operation and impounded a vehicle used in the illicit activity.
Malawi Police Commissioner for Central West Region, Barbara Mchenga Tsiga, reaffirmed police’s commitment to enforce the law.
“Our job is to ensure that the law takes its course. We will enforce all necessary regulations to curb illegal fuel transactions. The filling station will remain closed until the suspension is lifted,” Tsiga said.
Recently Zambian social media have been awash with stories about cheap fuel being bought in Malawi
