Chitipa based Reverend Brown Khonje has been arrested after being found with ivory. Chitipa Police Public Relations Officer, Gladwell Simwaka, confirmed the arrest, stating that the clergyman and his brother were arrested on their way to Karonga.

A tip off revealed that the two were in possession of two pieces of ivory weighing 21 kilograms. The Department of National Parks and Wildlife has reported that wildlife crimes increased last year, from 600 cases in 2018 to 1000. The clergyman’s case follows 7 Chinese nationals and two Malawians who were sentenced for similar crimes in July this year.

The brothers have been charged with possession of specimens of ivory species contrary to Section 86 of National Parks and Wildlife.