Expert: Weak Law Enforcement Fuels Illegal Mining Crisis in Malawi
Environmental authorities have struggled to contain the spread of illegal operations, which often operate in remote areas with minimal oversight.
ZOMBA, Malawi — A leading environmental expert warned Tuesday that lax monitoring and enforcement have allowed illegal mining operations to flourish across Malawi, causing widespread environmental damage, writes Peter Davieson.
Mathews Malata, a prominent environmental analyst, said the country's constitutionally empowered oversight bodies lack adequate staffing and resources to curb destructive mining practices.
"If we were vigilant with our law enforcement interventions if the constitutionally empowered bodies were able to do their job, we could not have reached where we are," Malata said.
"The people who were assigned to do the job - it's either they are not there or they are few."
Malata called for increased personnel and stronger integrity measures for enforcement officials.
He also emphasized the need for broader public education about environmental protection.
"There is a need for more efforts in educating the citizenry on the dangers of degrading the environment," he said.
The comments come amid growing concerns about unauthorized mining activities damaging landscapes and ecosystems across multiple regions of the country.
Environmental authorities have struggled to contain the spread of illegal operations, which often operate in remote areas with minimal oversight.