The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has, on 31st July 2025, arrested Mr. Noel Masangwi, owner of Elvis Freight and Cargo Services Limited, for offences relating to influencing a public officer to exercise their power corruptly and conspiracy to commit a felony.
The arrest follows investigations into allegations received by the Bureau on 27 March 2025 that linked Mr. Masangwi to the unlawful exportation of banned Mukula hardwood logs in violation of the 2008 Ministry of Trade Gazette Order which prohibits the export of round hardwood logs from Malawi.
The Bureau’s investigations uncovered that:
•On 29 January 2015, Mr. Masangwi used his influence to facilitate the release of four 40-foot containers of Mukula logs that had been intercepted between Chitedze and Waliranji, along the Mchinji-Lilongwe Road;
•On 13 February 2015, he further used his influence to order the passing of five export declarations made under Elvis Freight and Cargo Services Limited. These entries, falsely declared as tobacco exports, were suspected of containing banned hardwood logs and had been initially queried;
•Between January and March 2015, Mr. Masangwi conspired with Mr. Shadric Namalomba, former Commissioner of Customs and Excise at MRA, to facilitate the unlawful exportation of Mukula logs by corruptly bypassing customs procedures, contrary to Malawi’s export control laws.
Mr. Masangwi is expected to be charged with the following offences:
•Influencing a public officer to exercise his powers corruptly contrary to Section 25A (2) of the Corrupt Practices Act as read with Section 34 of the Corrupt Practices Act;
•Conspiracy to commit a felony contrary to Section 404 of the Penal Code.
He was taken to court and has been released on bail with the following conditions;
1. To pay a cash bond of K1 million;
2. To surrender his travel documents to court; and
3. To report to ACB Lilongwe office every fortnight on Fridays.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau remains relentless in its pursuit to end corruption.
JACQUELINE NGONGONDA
SENIOR PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
Email : jngongonda@acbmw.org
