Crooked driver finally arrested

Police in Chikwawa have now arrested a 59-year-old hearse driver identified as Lenard Kalonga, on charges of smuggling charcoal on deceit of transporting a dead person for burial.

Chikwawa Police Publicist Sergeant Dickson Matemba reported that the event took place on the evening of February 14, 2026, at the Thabwa roadblock.

This followed a tip-off regarding the suspicious vehicle.

During the inspection, officers discovered that the coffin in the hearse was empty and had been used to conceal bags of charcoal.

Kalonga reportedly confessed that the scheme was designed to enable him to navigate through checkpoints.