The Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) will pay members of the public up to K1.5 million for tips that lead to the interception or recovery of illegally traded fuel. The scheme was set out in a public notice signed by MERA chief executive officer Dad Chinthambi on 8 November.
Tips that expose hoarding or diversion at depots and filling stations pay more: K1.5 million or more. MERA says fuel sold off the pump is a main reason motorists struggle to buy at licensed stations.
Key facts
- Up to K1.5 million for tips on illegal fuel trading or unauthorised storage, depending on how much fuel is recovered
- K1.5 million or more for tips on hoarding or diversion at depots and filling stations
- Paid only if MERA did not already know, and checks lead to recovered fuel or an organised network
- Black-market fuel has sold for up to K20,000 a litre, more than three times the pump price
Who gets paid
MERA will pay a reward only when all three are true:
- the information was new to MERA
- MERA’s checks confirm it
- it leads to fuel being intercepted or recovered, or exposes an organised illegal fuel network
For trading and storage tips, the amount depends on the volume of fuel recovered. To qualify, give your name and phone number when you report. MERA says it keeps every reporter’s identity confidential.
Why now
Fuel supply has been erratic for nearly two months, and motorists still spend hours in queues. Illegal vendors in parts of the country have been charging up to K20,000 a litre, Nation Online reported. MERA’s maximum pump prices are K5,619 for petrol and K5,863 for diesel.
The rewards follow a 12 October warning from MERA and the Malawi Police Service that they were stepping up operations nationwide against illegal storage, transport and sale of fuel. On Friday 6 November, Central West Region Police arrested a 36-year-old Lilongwe businessman and seized 1,500 litres of fuel believed to be stored illegally at his shop: 820 litres of diesel, 680 litres of petrol and 175 litres of oil.
How to report
Buy fuel only at licensed filling stations. If you know of fuel being hoarded, stored or sold illegally, tell MERA where and when, and send photos, video or audio and any vehicle registration numbers if you can do so safely.
Send a tip to MERA
Or go to any MERA office or the nearest police station.
Check MERA’s maximum fuel prices and how to report a station that overcharges.
