By George Mponda

Karonga, August 23, Mana: Karonga District Peace and Unity Committee (DPUC) has raised concern over the growing number of conflicts in the district emanating from undermining of court judgements.

Speaking Thursday during a media peace building engagement meeting with Karonga media fraternity organised by the Evangelical Association of Malawi (EAM), Karonga's  DPUC Secretary Aaron Mwenelupembe revealed that since November 2022 to April 2024, the district has recorded almost 100 conflict cases.

Mwenelupembe said; "There are individuals who are showing a culture of disrepect to the rule law since when the courts pass judgements on cases of land disputes, chieftaincy wrangles and witchcraft accusations, they still go on to act in defiance of the judgement leading to conflicts."

"We recorded 16 cases of conflicts due to this in the area of Senior Chief Kilipula, 14 in Senior Chief Mwakaboko, 20 in Senior Chief Wasambo and 16 cases in the area of Paramount Chief Kyungu. Mostly, they involved property grabbing by the deceased relatives, chieftancy wrangles and witchcraft accusations," he added.

Mwenelupembe emphasized that fostering a culture of respect for the rule of law is crucial in maintaining peace and stability in the district and he called on the journalists to help in this endeavour.

On his part, Chairperson of Karonga Press Club Adams Wundaninge pledged to make sure that journalits in the district help encourage  communities to embrace court rulings as a means to resolving disputes amicably.

"Journalists have the power to use the media as a peace building tool by reporting factually without sensationalising issues which in most cases mislead the people. We have to be impartial and maintain media ethics when reporting on peacebuilding and conflict-related issues," said Wundaninge.

On his part, Fumbanani Mwale EAM’s Advocacy Officer for Karonga, said the media has an important role to play in maintaining peace as we approach next years general election.

“This peacebuilding meeting was very essential for Karonga district which is very volatile and the media should play a major role raising awareness about peace and the consequences of conflicts in communities,” Mwale said.

The meeting was organised by the Evangelical Association of Malawi under the 'Churches United for Peace and Justice and Electoral Governance' project  with funding from Bread for the World-Protestant Development Service.