By Maston Kaiya

Ntcheu, June 4, Mana: Communities of Traditional Authority (TA) Phambala and Sub-TA Tsikulamowa in Ntcheu District have hailed the construction of the Ntonda Police Unit saying it has tightened security in the two areas.

Vice Chairperson for the Phambala Area Development Committee (ADC) Lawrence Bamusi said previously, communities were taking the law into their own hands due to absence of a police unit.

“Despite having policing forums, cases of mob justice were rampant in the area owing to absence of the facility.

“Besides that, the communities were walking long distances in pursuit of justice once robbed of their property,” he said.

According to Bamusi, communities were relying on the Senzani police unit, Ntcheu and Balaka police station’s which are at a distance from the area whenever they want to report theft cases.

On her part, Group Village-Head Bayani an Induna for iNkosi Phambala said law and order is now prevailing unlike before when the area had no such a facility.

“Theft cases of livestock, crops and house break-ins were rampant but now they are decreasing due to the opening of the police unit,” she said.

Ntcheu Police Spokesperson, Jacob Khembo concurred with the community’s sentiments over security issues in the area.

“The police formation is always on high alert for any possible security threat to ensure the communities are living peacefully without theft disturbances,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ntcheu District Council Director of Planning and Development Obed Mwalughali said the facility is key to the development of the area hence the council prioritized the same to be constructed.

According to Mwalughali, the council has spent K29.6 million from the District Development Fund (DDF) pool to construct the Ntonda Police Unit.