Tanzanian Vessel Detained at Monkey Bay as Diplomatic Tension Emerges on Lake Malawi

A Tanzanian water vessel has been detained on Lake Malawi at Monkey Bay jetty for docking without authorisation from Malawi Lake Services.

Reports indicate that the vessel arrived at the port in the morning, prompting a marine officer on duty to deny the vessel permission to dock at the jetty and instruct the captain to remain at anchorage within the harbour waters.

"As the authorities, we were supposed to be notified at least two days in advance that a vessel will be arriving. We did not receive any information about the vessel, which is carrying coal," said one confidant.

Chief Executive Officer for Malawi Lake Services Joseph Banda, who was in Lilongwe, said that he only became aware of the vessel after it had already docked.

It was indicated that security details from both the Malawi Navy and marine police inspected the vessel to be cleared by port officials.